The 11-2 Bedford High School girls’ basketball team has finished January with a seven-game winning streak, and now welcomes February with a home showdown vs. a talented Acton-Boxborough squad on Friday, slated for 7 p.m.
“This journey we are on together is what high school sports are all about,” said Head Coach Jim DeBenedictis after the Bucs closed out Malden Catholic, 53-38 on Monday evening. “These kids are competitive, coachable, and wonderful young people to be around.”
Photo by Finn Harte
Tuesday’s outcome was very much in doubt after three quarters, with Bedford clinging to a 33-31 lead, shooting under 33 percent from the field, and piling up 14 turnovers.
Regardless, DeBenedictis was businesslike as the team huddled between periods.
“I believe in our ability to score – I just felt it was coming,” he said after the game. “We were able to do what we practiced on defense; there was no need to panic.”
His optimism was rewarded when, over the final eight minutes, the team outscored the Lancers, 22-7, converting six of nine baskets (four of five from three-point land) and six of seven foul shots. Malden Catholic, which led by as many as four in the third quarter, missed eight of 11 shot attempts.
BHS senior Mackenzie Tierney buried three trifectas in that fourth quarter and led all scorers with 20. Freshman Ashley Cohen added 13 points and four steals for the game.
Bridget Sheahan (10 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks) received special mention from the coach.
“Bridget’s screens, offense and defensive rebounds were huge for us, as they have been all year.”
He noted that Sheahan was “under the weather and played through it. Grace Weisz and Christina Hovnanian off the bench gave her the time she needed to rest and hydrate.”
Last Friday, Bedford struggled shooting, but outlasted Westford Academy, 44-34. The difference was twofold: seven three-point baskets, led by Cohen’s five, and a 9-3 advantage from the line.
Cohen finished with 20 points, Sheahan totaled 12 rebounds, five of them on the offensive boards. Senior Cassie Morrison had a productive night, with six points, five rebounds, three steals, and two assists.
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