Stoughton High Girls' Basketball Shut Down at Oliver Ames

The Oliver Ames girls' basketball team, hitting on all cylinders offensively, defensively and in the rebounding game, capped an undefeated 18-0 regular season by beating Stoughton, a playoff-bound team, 65-17 in Easton Friday night. 

Stoughton entered the game on a five-game winning streak. The 17 points is a season low for the Black Knights. 

"To hold a team like Stoughton to 17 points in a game- we’ve just been so focused on our defense and to hold them to that number – it’s just incredible," Oliver Ames coach Elaine Clement-Holbrook said.

Stoughton dropped to 12-6 with the loss. The Black Knights were unable to get anything going against a stifling Tigers 'D' and transition game.

It started from the beginning as OA blanked Stoughton in the first quarter, finishing the period with a 12-0 lead.

"We came out flat tonight," Stoughton coach Janet Sullivan said. "OA controlled the boards and had a great transition game going. That’s why they’re 18-0 right now."

The Black Knights were led by senior center Nicole Daniels, who had 7 points.  They will play against Holliston and Notre Dame Monday and Tuesday at the Sharon Showcase to contend for a high state tournament seed.

"We have to put this one behind us and we have to start working towards the tournament," Sullivan said. "We have two games over February vacation. We’re at 12-6 right now. We have to work hard if we’re hoping to get a home game. We have our work cut out for us over February vacation."

Fittingly, Oliver Ames was led by its two senior captains on its senior night.

Caitlyn Abela and Asia Mitchell both finished the night with 15 points. Three of Mitchell's points came on a buzzer beater from half-court to finish the first half.

Oliver Ames will take part in the Walpole Tournament next week before the state tournament begins.