Stoughton High Girls’ Basketball Comes Up Short Against OA

Five weeks ago, the Oliver Ames girls’ basketball team crushed Stoughton in Easton, in a matchup of a powerhouse squad and a struggling team that once enjoyed great success.

Since then, Oliver Ames (14-1 overall, 10-1 Hockomock League and 6-0 Davenport Division) has continued its great run for yet another year, but there have been changes at .

Since that 41-point loss in January, Stoughton has turned its season around winning seven of its last eight games, including six in a row heading into Tuesday’s rematch with OA.

But, on Tuesday night, Oliver Ames once again beat the Black Knights, 54-37, this time in Stoughton, but it wasn’t easy and Stoughton now has proven it is much-improved, tournament-ready and can play with the best teams.

“I’m incredibly proud of our team and the great improvement we’ve made since earlier in the season,” Stoughton coach Janet Sullivan said.

“Unfortunately any mistake that you make against a great team like Oliver Ames it will capitalize and can take over the game, and Oliver Ames did. We played solid defense, but we came out very tentatively and fell way behind and you can’t do that against a team like this.”

Oliver Ames has everything needed to win. The Tigers have depth, height and balance in both scoring and rebounding.

OA has a guard duo of senior co-captain Candace Steadman (eight points, four assists and four rebounds) and junior Asia Mitchell (11 points, five assists, four steals and three rebounds) that remain poised and keep the team calm in difficult times of the game. Steadman had two early fouls, but the OA bench came in and helped to maintain a 26-14 advantage at halftime.

“We have a lot of weapons and athletes that can do so many things, but we also have great team chemistry that helps us remain poised throughout the game,” Oliver Ames coach Elaine Clement-Holbrook said.

“We got off to a fast start and we were able to weather the storm. Our defense helped create our offense and we continue to get contributions from many players. Everyone knows their role and is willing to do what ever it takes for the team.”

Oliver Ames came out with stifling defense and sharp shooting, with four three-pointers in the first quarter to take a 16-2 lead entering the second quarter. Caitlyn Abela (17 points and 11 rebounds), a junior, and senior Emily Romans (11 points) contained Stoughton junior center Nicole Daniels (13 points and 11 rebounds), holding Daniels scoreless in the first half, and were able to start the fast break offense for the Tigers.

But, Stoughton (9-5 overall, 8-4 Hockomock League and 4-2 Davenport Division) wouldn’t go away. Trailing 16-2, Stoughton junior guard Emma Zuk helped to cut the deficit heading into the half, with all of her ten points being scored in the second quarter.

The Black Knights displayed great hustle, solid defense, but missed some wide-open shots.

Stoughton kept hanging around with the help of senior tri-captain Chrystal Holland (10 points and seven rebounds), and only trailed 30-22 midway through the third quarter.

This is where Oliver Ames took back complete control of the game with an effective full-court press and great fast-break basketball with quick ball movement. OA went on a 22-3 run to take a commanding 52-25 lead with only four minutes left in the game and went on to take the victory.

The win clinched the Davenport Division for the defending League champion Tigers.

Oliver Ames has now won eight consecutive games and its only defeat remains a heartbreaking one-point loss to undefeated .

Both teams return to action on Friday. Stoughton will attempt to clinch a postseason berth with a win at home against on Senior Night. Meanwhile, OA will host .