Sports

Postseason Primer: Stoughton High Girls' Basketball Takes on Newton North Wednesday

The Stoughton High Black Knights girls' basketball team (13-6) travels to Newton North (14-6) in a first round matchup in the MIAA Division 1 South Sectional Tournament.

Stoughton vs. Newton North. They are two evenly-matched teams, but with two distinct styles of play. The team that is able to dictate the style of play stands the best chance to advance in the.

The #9 seed Stoughton High girls’ basketball team (13-6) travels to #8 seed Newton North (14-6) Wednesday at 7 p.m. for the right to take on the winner of the #1 Franklin/ #17 Taunton game.

For those traveling to the game, Newton North is located at 457 Walnut St. Newton, 02460.

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“It’s going to be a tough matchup,” Stoughton coach Janet Sullivan said. “We’re seeded 9, they’re seeded 8, which tells you as far as rankings go we’re both pretty even teams.”

Road Warriors

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The are 8-4 away from SHS this season. Newton North is 7-4 at home this season.

Streaks

Stoughton ends the regular season having won 10 of their final 12 games, including wins in their final two games against Division 2 tournament bound teams and at the Sharon Showcase over February vacation.

“We’re in a good place coming off two strong wins in the Sharon Showcase,” Sullivan said. “Our confidence is up right now. We’re playing well as a team. We’ve always had great team chemistry but right now everyone seems to be playing their best basketball and it’s the perfect time for it heading into tournament.”

Newton North, meanwhile, ended the regular season winning five of their final six games.

Contrasting Styles of Play

“It’s going to be a matchup of conflicting styles,” Sullivan said. “[Newton North is] a little smaller, faster. They like to get their offense from their defense so they play a lot of pressure, a lot of man-to-man defense, a lot of full-court press and they like to run transition basketball.

“So they want it to be a track meet, have it go up and down the court, whereas we’re more of a set offense. We have the height advantage. We’re a little more experienced I think.

“So we’re going to try to play our game and they’re going to try to play their game and whichever team succeeds in doing that will ultimately win the game.”

Players to Watch for Stoughton

Any scouting report on will start with junior center Nicole Daniels who is a virtual lock for a double-double every game. She controls the boards and can score in the paint, and is a quality free-throw shooter. Senior Chrystal Holland can hit from any spot on the court and is strong on both offense and defense.

But beyond the duo of Daniels and Holland, there’s any number of players capable of making a significant contribution and stepping up—Emma Zuk at the point guard position; Katherine Chlus, who has played some of her best basketball down the stretch; and Jackie Kuhn and Mackenzie McGrath, who are both threats to hit the outside shot.

Marlena Siegel, Ariene Ohimor and Megan Crimmins add depth.

Newton North Players to Watch

Gracie Rolfe, Infiniti Thomas-Waheed, Jillian Doherty and Maddie Bledsoe

Key to Success for Stoughton

Sullivan said Stoughton has to do the “basics” well in order to win—control the boards, have a mix between an inside and outside game on offense and have multiple players involved on the offensive end.

Division 1 South Sectional Bracket

The Division 1 South Sectional tournament bracket is posted in the media gallery and is available by clicking on the link below:


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