GARDNER — Shorter than their opponent Quabbin, Mahar B made a concerted effort to shoot along the perimeters rather than in the paint. The effort, however, allowed Quabbin to control the interior on both ends of the court, defeating Mahar B 32-12 during summer basketball league action on Monday.
Mahar B had one basket in the paint, while Quabbin generated 24 points within the area.
“We’re trying to be physical but we’re middle school physical,” said Mahar B coach Pat Kaltner. “We just couldn’t find the hoop today and our shots are limited, so when we get an available shot, we’ve got to take it. Some of the girls were a little shy but they’re still working hard and that’s a good thing.”
Sienna Moore contributed on both ends for Mahar B, generating a team-high five rebounds and three points. Haylee Allen had a team-high six points along with four rebounds. Mahar B’s other points came on a 3-pointer from Kendra Doane.
“Sienna is very athletic and she doesn’t know how strong and athletic she is yet,” said Kaltner. “She’s going to get there and I think she’s going to become a really good (player) in the future. She just has to build her confidence.”
Mahar B had trouble holding onto the ball during Monday’s game, turning over the ball more than 10 times. When the team had an offensive opportunity, they elected to shoot from the perimeter rather than moving into the paint and moving the ball into the open lane.
“Sometimes they get the ball and anticipate getting crushed whether it’s happening or not,” said Kaltner. “So they’re not expecting to be successful yet in the paint, you know, especially the younger girls. They get an open look and they’re not even looking at the basket.”
One could see the mindset during the second half when Mahar B went 12 minutes and 28 seconds without a basket, allowing Quabbin to go on a 10-0 run during that span to build a 25-8 lead. Allen ended the drought with a jumper at the 4:01 mark. She netted another 6-foot jumper after gathering in the offensive rebound with two minutes and 38 seconds left in the game, moving within 25-12. Quabbin took over once again, going on a 7-0 run to end the game.
Mahar B’s only lead came with 17:27 in the first half when Allen netted a jumper at from free throw line to put her team up 5-3. Quabbin then went on a 6-0 run to go up 9-5. Moore ended the run with a free throw with seven minutes and six seconds left in the first half.
Quabbin netted two more baskets from underneath the hoop to take a 13-6 lead going into halftime.
Defensively, outside of Moore and Allen, Mahar B’s Nat Apteker and Alivia Patch had two rebounds each. Doane, Taylor Soucie and Ava Liberty each had one rebound.