Mansfield Girls' Basketball Team Tops King Philip

The Mansfield girls basketball team soundly defeated King Philip, 48-27, on Tuesday. Despite a slow beginning, Mansfield was able to keep up their momentum and keep KP at bay on the scoreboard.

The game was based primarily on defense, with neither team scoring untill after three minutes of play. Both teams made extremely good efforts on rebounds and blocks, but Mansfield managed to break through early on.

"[KP] wanted to keep the game low scored," said Mansfield head coach Mike Redding. "You just have to survive their agressiveness and try to find ways to score."

Mansfield point guard Victoria Shannon scored a total of 13 points. Junior Erin Glavin scored eight points, and guard Gina Stoyle scored seven. Center Lauren Beecher scored six points, with co captain Michaela Bowes scoring three. Kelly English,  Kaitlyn McCarthy and Julie Campbell each scored as well.

At the end of the first period, Mansfield was up 10-0. They started off the second period in control, but then King Philip began to get their offense in gear, but could not outshoot the Hornets. They ended the period, 25-8, making more than a few rebounds and picks in the process.

The third period had scoring at nearly neck and neck between both teams, but the Warriors could not bring in enough baskets to overtake Mansfield.

"We had a great first half, especially defensively," Redding said. "In the third period, we just let the game get to their style. We had trouble getting the ball, making good shots. But then we got our composure back. It's nice to have a game where we know we're going to win in the fourth quarter. In the last two games it came down to the final possession."

The fourth period saw a similar scoring battle, with KP trailing in scoring by only five points. The last two minutes of the game were the most intense.

"Basketball is about a team, a team stepping up and doing well together and that's not what happened today," said King Philip head coach Megan Barry.

Mansfield will be going on the road to Coyle-Cassidy High School on Thursday. KP will be playing at Framingham on Thursday as well.