The lights never flickered in the Bedford High School gymnasium on Friday night.
So “shoot the lights out” must be a metaphor. Because that’s what the Buccaneers did in their 66-54 triumph over the girls from Concord-Carlisle.
The Bucs converted 27 of 46 attempts from the floor, almost 60 percent, as they built an eight-point halftime lead and then slammed the defensive door in the third quarter. The Bedford girls evened their record at 7-7.
“We’re definitely working hard every day. The girls are really committed and locked in to the mindset of getting better,” said Head Coach Ashley Kepaa after the game. “Not every game is going to be a win but they are going to give it 1,000 percent, they’re going to bring the energy and they aren’t going to back down.”
What everyone will most remember about Friday night’s win was Bedford’s three-point shooting – 10 out of 23, more than 43 percent. Junior Mackenzie Tierney (22 points) began the onslaught with three trifectas in the first quarter, then added two more in the second to complement three by her twin sister, Madison (13 points). Over the first 16 minutes, the Tierneys shot 8-for-16 from outside the arc.
“Both girls are really coming into their own over the last few weeks, and their consistency game over game behind the arc allows us to open up our defense,” said Kepaa. “They allow all players on the court the ability to score and contribute by being a threat out there.”
Junior Bridget Sheahan also turned in an impressive statistical performance: a double-double. Sheahan scored 16 points, making eight of 12 shots, and corralled 11 rebounds. “Bridget has been critical for us down low securing boards and very quietly becoming one of our top leading scorers game-over-game,” Kepaa said.
Senior Sydney Poor had her usual solid game, finishing with seven points, nine rebounds, and four assists. “Sydney’s facilitation of our offense and her ability to shoot the gaps in the defense and make great plays finding her teammates on the floor have been big for us,” the coach said.
Junior Cassie Morrison, whom Kepaa calls on to defend each opponent’s top player, was whistled for her fourth foul with three minutes remaining in the third quarter. Senior Isabelle Wilson came off the bench and the team continued its onslaught, doubling the halftime lead to 52-36 after three.
Wilson, Kepaa said, “gave us a high level of aggression defensively, securing 50-50 balls and securing boards.”
Bedford hosts Newton South on Tuesday at 7 p.m. as they continue to battle for post-season eligibility.
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