GARDNER — Having only five players for its game against Conant put the Athol summer league basketball team against odds on Wednesday. Although it wasn’t impossible, turning the ball over 19 times didn’t help either, as the team lost 58-14.
“They were gassed in the first half,” said Athol coach Tim Cleveland. “Not much you’re going to do.”
Defensively, Athol did make some strides. They held Conant to only one shot on multiple offensive possessions, while Emma Bacigalupo had 10 rebounds and Taylor Cleveland nine.
“I thought, especially in the first half, we kind of got things going,” said Cleveland. “We played nice straight up defense. We held them in the first half and then they blew us out but I think they did a good job. That’s all you can do, do a couple of quality things and see what happens.”
Athol held Conant in check through the first 13 minutes of the first half, playing down by only six at 10-4. However, Conant took advantage of Athol in transition, netting 17 straight points with all but five off those points coming off Athol turnovers. Conant held a 27-4 advantage at the end of the first half.
After Bacigalupo scored the first basket of the second half, the inability to find the hoop hurt Athol, generating two points in 17 minutes of play. Conant outscored Athol 29-2 during that span and went on top 56-9.
“Several transition baskets,” said Cleveland about the run. “We were just caught walking up the floor because we’re tired, no energy. Once you get down by that many points, no one wants to play hard, but it’s what it is, it’s summer league.”
The only points Athol had during that span came from a rebound and basket from Taylor Cleveland, who had five points on the night. Reily Polana ended the drought with a three with two minutes and 37 seconds left in the game.
Polana had a team-high six points, netting two 3-pointers. first half on an open look.