By James Cullinane
Class of 2012
Stacy Bilodeau’s Rebel basketball squad has faced the multiple challenges of a “rebuilding year” for the entire 2009-10 season. This young, talented team has proved to be as persistent as the great Rebel teams of the last decade. Walpole faced one of their toughest challenges of the season on Tuesday, January 5th, in a showdown with the Red Raiders of Wellesley. A buzz spread around the Walpole gym before the opening tip-off, as spectators learned the news of freshman Bridget Nicholsen entering the starting lineup in place of injured senior Liz Malone. Nicholsen has provided a spark off the bench all season for the Rebels, bringing intensity on both ends of the court everytime she steps on the hardwood. The Raiders are lead by senior Captains Mary Louise Dixon and Annie Hughto. Junior Blake Dietrick has also been a scoring sensation for head coach Kristen Cieri’s talented unit. The rebels would certainly face a challenge against the Raiders. Unfortunately they were unable to come out on top, as the Raiders cruised to a 62-26 victory.
Shannon Cullen won the opening tip against Raider’s center Maddie Carens. Rebels center, senior Christine Carty, battled hard down low with Carens and forced a jump ball on Wellesley’s first possession. On the next trip down court, Nicholsen buried a deep three pointer to put the Rebels on top 3-0. Much to the chagrin of Bilodeau and the Rebels, this would be the high point of the game for Walpole. Dietrick soon went on a hot streak to score the first 8 points for Wellesley on two deep threes and a fast break layup. Sophomore Shannon Cullen scored on a turn around jumper to give Walpole its second hoop of the evening. The Raiders continued to put on a shooting clinic with Hughto hitting a deep jumper and Dixon draining a three. The first quarter ended with Wellesley leading the Rebels by a score of 15-8.
The Red Raider shooting show continued into the second quarter. Dixon hit a mid range jumper to begin the quarter. Sophomore Adrianna Frattasio entered the game as Walpole’s first sub, replacing Nicholsen. Despite her best efforts, the quick Frattasio did not have the answer to stopping Dixon, who then launched up another three pointer, sinking it again. Walpole senior Captain Brooke Waite proved that the Rebels would not entirely relinquish the game yet, as she hit a highly contested jump shot. Shannon Cullen then posted up Hughto for a layup, gaining the applause of Rebel and Raider fans alike. The second quarter ended with Wellesley extended their lead to 20 points with a score of 34-14.
The third quarter did not bring about anything dissimilar after watching the first half of the game. Dixon and Dietrick continued to both score in the paint and as well as from behind the arch. Rebel senior captain Molly Grimes, usually a great shooter, continued to struggle shooting the ball and had yet to score entering the third quarter. Nicholsen cooled off on the offensive end but continued her fiery defense, forcing a jump ball and constantly being in Dixon’s face. The third quarter came to a close with Wellesley on top by a wopping score of 50-19.
Even with the game out of reach in the fourth quarter, the Rebels refused to quit and continued to play hard. Waite slashed her way through multiple defenders to the basket for an easy layup. Not soon after this basket, the Rebel starting 5 was removed from the game and replaced by Rebel stars of the future. Juniors Shannon Songin, Lane Kelleher, Emily Quinlan, and Emily Falvey entered the game for the Rebels along with sophomore standout Michaela Brown. The game came to a close with the score of 62- 26, a very impressive win for the Raiders as well as a disappointing loss for the Rebels.
Despite the disappointing loss for the Rebs, coach Stacy Bilodeau will be sure to keep the girls focused on their next opponent. Brooke Waite led the Rebels with 6 points, which is an unusually low number for a Walpole Rebel high scorer. Christine Carty also finished with 5 points and multiple rebounds. The dynamic duo of Dietrich and Dixon finished one and two on the Raiders scoring list. Dietrick finished with 22 points as Dixon chipped in 15 points in the impressive offensive attack of the Raiders. Walpole will attempt to get back on track on Thursday, January 7th in a highly anticipated matchup with the Milton Wildcats.
