The girls basketball team dominated the visiting 6-10 Richard Montgomery Rockets 53-33 on senior night Friday, improving their undefeated record to 17-0.
Like the last two games, guard Abby Meyers led the Vikings in scoring with 13 points, going 7-8 from the free throw line. Forward Marie Hatch and Samantha Magliato added eight points apiece.
Before the contest, players and coaches recognized the team’s four seniors: captains Nicole Fleck, Alison Poffley and Annabelle Leahy, and forward Magliato.
“Senior night was bittersweet and emotional,” said Fleck, who was on varsity for three years and hopes to play for Johns Hopkins or Haverford in the fall. “This team and program mean so much to me, it is surreal to think my time is coming to a close.”
With all the seniors in the starting lineup, it didn’t take long to witness the talent that will be missed next year as they each contributed points.
The first quarter was a see-saw battle with the Rockets continuing to bounce back after Viking scoring runs. Three three-pointers from Rockets guard Allie Parrish closed the Viking’s lead to 16-15.
But the Vikings came out of the huddle with a vengeance, starting the second quarter on an 8-0 run. Hard-charging defense, highlighted by steals from Hatch on seemingly every play, widened the Vikings’ lead to nine at the half.
The third quarter was a stalemate with the Rockets trimming the lead to seven.
The final stanza started with a convincing 15-0 run for the Vikings, including six points from Meyers. As the seniors exited the game late in the fourth quarter, the Whitmaniacs saluted them with a resounding “Thank you, seniors” chant.
“I’m happy knowing that it’s not the end and that we have one more home game and a whole lot more to accomplish,” Fleck said. “The game itself wasn’t as clean as we had hoped – RM came out strong and aggressively – but the night was so special and I’m so thankful for my amazing fellow seniors.”
The girls look to win their 18th straight game when they travel to face the 8-11 Blair Blazers Tuesday.
