Victory Sends Attleboro Girls to Postseason

A 67-61 victory Thursday on the hard court at Taunton provided the 11th win of the basketball season for the Attleboro High Schoolgirls basketball team, clinching the team a spot in the postseason tournament.

The Tigers took a 6-0 lead before a basket by Bri LaPlume put Attleboro on the scoreboard. A three-pointer by Kerri Beland, put back by Makaila Lombardy, and back-to-back scores by Emily Houle (three and a two) brought the Bombardiers to within four at the end of the first quarter.

Taunton opened the second quarter with a 6-0 run before Houle hit for two-point basket. Beland was fouled on a drive to the hoop and made both her free throws. A Beth Clifton basket brought the Bombardiers to within four of the Tigers. Abby Oliver stood firm on a Taunton drive to the hoop, taking a charge and turning the ball over to the girls in blue. LaPlume hit from inside, followed by two free throws by Kirsten Terrien. Another LaPlume score and two free throws and a basket by Kim Runey ended the half with Taunton in the lead 33-28.

The third quarter belonged to Attleboro, as the Bombardiers were able to handcuff Angie Martinez, Taunton's leading scorer, and hold the Tigers to just six points while hitting for 22. Leading the scoring in that eight-minute segment was Beland with 10 points. The period ended with Attleboro on top 50-39.

A basket by Lombardy opened up the final quarter, but Taunton went on a nine-point run, coming to within two points of the Bombardier lead. Free throws by Clifton and Beland and a shot from behind the arc by Beland kept Attleboro in front by seven. With time running out, the girls in orange and black were forced to foul, sending Oliver and Beland to the free-throw line, where they were both successful. Attleboro went home with a well-deserved win.

Leading the scoring for the Bombardiers was Beland, who poured in 24 points, including four-for-six from three-point range. LaPlume had a double-double, with 10 points and 11 rebounds and Clifton chipped in 10 points. Oliver was a master in dishing out assists, with 11, and she scored four points. Attleboro shot a torrid 14-15 from behind the stripe. The Bombardiers out-rebounded the Tigers 26-23.

The Attleboro freshmen lost in overtime 52-48 and the junior varsity team took home a 34-33 victory.

The Bombardiers closed out the week with a game Friday at Franklin. Look for coverage of that contest on Patch soon.