Medfield Girls Basketball Wins Div 2 State Semifinals, 59-51

The Medfield Girls Basketball team has won the Div 2 State Semifinals in overtime with a score of 59-51 over defending state champions the Reading Rockets.

It was a great game covered by .

Reports from the stands claimed that hundreds of Medfield fans out-cheered the Reading section. 

The Warriors maintained the lead for most of the intense game. 

• End of the first quarter: Medfield 23, Reading 8
• At the half: Medfield 32, Reading 21
• End of the third quarter: Medfield 41, Reading 31
• With just two minutes left: Medfield 48, Reading 44 
• But then...

The Rockets pulled forward right at the very end and were ahead by just one point with six seconds left in regulation. 

With the Warriors at the free-throw line and the Rockets with a one point lead, Medfield missed the first throw, made the second to tie, then missed the third.

Overtime!

Tied at 49-49, the teams headed into overtime where Medfield gained and kept the lead to win the game 59-51, ending Reading's 48-game winning streak. 

Warriors Coach Mark Nickerson:

I was so proud of the way the girls played tonight.  They came out aggressive and really took it to Reading early.  I thought our pressure defense (especially the half-court trap) caused a lot of problems for them and I thought we controlled the
paint for most of the night.  

The challenge for us tonight was trying to control Olivia Healy.  She is a tremendous player and we certainly struggled to contain her.  However, I thought we played good team defense and I thought we were extremely aggressive on the offensive and defensive boards.  

Although we controlled the game for most of the night, Reading kept chipping into our lead and narrowing the gap.  On a few separate occasions, we were able to fight off their attacks and extend back but in the end, I think we all realized that it would come down to the wire.  The girls once again showed their mental toughness.  

We are all excited to extend the season and can't wait to try to bring home the state title.

The Medfield Warriors will now play the Nashoba Chieftains in the state finals at the DCU Center on Saturday, March 16, at 2:15 p.m.

Go Warriors! 

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