Old Rochester girls basketball seeks ‘consistency,’ secures fourth straight win
Jan 5, 2024
Old Rochester player Hannah Thorell shoots a free throw against Seekonk High School on Friday, Jan. 5. The Bulldogs won 62-49. Photo by Erez Ben-Akiva
An Old Rochester player shoots.
Old Rochester Junior Captain Caroline Brogioli dibbles down the court during a game against Seekonk High School. Photo by Sawyer Smook-Pollitt
Old Rochester coach Rick Regan talks to his team during a timeout. Photo by Sawyer Smook-Pollitt
Old Rochester player Hannah Thorell shoots a free throw against Seekonk High School. Photo by Sawyer Smook-Pollitt
Old Rochester player Emerson Gonet won the “Together” chain after her performance in Friday’s game. Photo by Sawyer Smook-Pollitt
MATTAPOISETT — While much of Massachusetts prepares for incoming winter precipitation over the weekend, it rained 3-pointers on Friday, Jan. 5 as the Old Rochester Regional High School girls varsity basketball team beat Seekonk High School 62-49.
While it was the fourth consecutive win for the 5-2 Bulldogs, head coach Rick Regan said the team will need to play better to win their conference.
“I think the experience we gain is going to help us,” Regan said. “The goal is first to get in the state tournament and then possibly compete for the conference championship. And for us to do that we have to continue to play well, and we have to continue to get better every day.”
Seekonk took an early lead in the first minutes, but strong defense, shooting and rebounding brought Old Rochester ahead the rest of the game, though the Bulldogs fended off a Seekonk run in the fourth quarter. Regan said the team has greatly improved from last season but needs “to be consistent and take care of business for 32 minutes, not for half the game.”
“They put the points on the board,” Regan said. “They play defense. And when they do, they do a spectacular job. They really do a great job.”
Emerson Gonet led the way in scoring with 17 points, hitting five shots from beyond the 3-point line in the second half.
“She’s a great shooter, and she always works at it,” Regan said. “At practice, she hits them, so we know she can hit the shots.”
Amber Engel scored 11 points, while Emma Johnson, Hannah Thorell and Carly Mello each scored nine apiece. Caroline Brogioli scored five and Tessa Winslow had two to round out the scoring for the Bulldogs.
Gonet’s shooting effort earned her the “Together” chain, which she wore after the game.
“She works at it,” Regan said. “She works hard. She cares. She has a pure shot, and it showed tonight that if you leave her open, she’s going to drain it.”
Like the “Together” chain itself, the Bulldogs aim to play “together and on a chain all the time” on the defensive end, Regan said.
“When we do that, then we really can kind of push the pace offensively, and we can push the ball and we’re in a pretty good space at that point, a pretty good spot in the game,” Regan said. “And again it’s the consistency over all.”
The girls varsity basketball team next plays Somerset Berkley Regional High School Jan. 9.
