Hutchinson Memorial Basketball Tourney

Ursuline Girls Crowned Champs After O.T. Win over Carver

By KEN HAMWEY,
Bulletin Sports Writer

The Ursuline Academy’s girls’ basketball team came close to winning the Barry Hutchinson Memorial Tournament in 2022, losing, 43-40, to Bellingham. The Bears, however, made sure their latest trip to the Bellingham tourney had a different outcome, even if it had to be achieved in overtime against a different opponent.

Ursuline, an all-girls school in Dedham, won the 2023 tourney by defeating Carver, 51-47, in a clash that featured plenty of up-tempo offense and intense defensive pressure.

Junior Alana Hogan led the Bears with 16 points and senior Colleen Ganley had 13. The versatile Ganley, who usually plays guard but operated primarily in the post, was the tourney’s MVP. Hogan was named to the tournament’s all-star squad.

Carver’s Sarah Stairs and Julia Fernandes each scored 12 points, and Stairs and Julia Grimes were selected as all-stars.

Regulation play ended tied at 43, but the Bears outscored the Crusaders, 8-4, in the extra session. Hogan netted four points on a lay-up and two free throws, and the Bears’ other points came at the foul line — two for Payton Knight and one each for Ganley and Sofia Pichay. 

“It feels great to win the tournament,’’ said Ursuline coach Morgan O’Donnell. “The key for us was playing smart, tough, and quick. Our defense also played a major role. Alana works hard constantly and strives for improvement, and Colleen is a solid all-around player who’s coachable and always positive.’’

Ursuline advanced to the final by defeating Dighton-Rehoboth, 50-35, in the opening round. Hogan connected for 17 points and Knight had 13. The Falcons’ top scorer was Julia Mello with 9 points while Lucy Latour and Maggie Kazanjian each had 7. “Ursuline is very athletic,’’ said D-R coach Jon Pacheco. “We’re a young team that’s learning and hoping to improve.’’

Carver coach Michael Ponte credited Ursuline for its title-winning effort. “Both teams played hard  but they made a couple more plays than we did,’’ he said. “Stairs and Grimes competed effectively, and the tourney atmosphere was a good experience for us.’’

The Bellingham girls, who entered the tourney winless in their previous four games, bowed in their opener to Carver, 48-26, but enjoyed a much-needed, bounce-back victory in the consolation game, crushing Dighton-Rehoboth, 44-24. 

Junior guard Calleigh Elder, who was selected as a tourney all-star, dominated the Blackhawks’ offense, scoring 23 points (17 in the first half). Elder scored on mid-range jumpers and slashing drives to the basket that enabled Bellingham to take a 16-5 lead after the first quarter. Their margin ballooned to 32-10 at halftime and ended with the Blackhawks winning by 20.

Bellingham freshman Debora Kalemi chipped in with eight points while the Falcons were led by Megan Keane who had 10. Latour was named to the all-tourney team.   

“The key to winning was our half-court, trapping defense that led to easy baskets,’’ said Bellingham coach Bob Pingeton. “Calleigh was the spark we needed on offense, and she got points that resulted from steals. We needed this win badly and I hope it becomes contagious. Getting our first win makes us all feel better. 

“The girls were up for this game, and we executed well against Dighton-Rehoboth. But,  against Carver, we didn’t.’’

Since posting their first win of the season against D-R, the Blackhawks managed to notch their second victory, beating Tri Valley League foe Ashland.

Carver’s 22-point win against the Blackhawks in the tourney opener featured a parade of scorers — Stairs (12), Fernandes (9), Grimes (8) and Jadyn Sotomayor (7). Montana Berglund and Elder led Bellingham with seven points each.

“We’ve been working hard on our offense,’’ said Ponte after downing the Blackhawks. “Now our shots are starting to fall. We also rely on a strong defense. Stairs played very well against Bellingham. A starter since her freshman year, she’s tough as nails.’’

Michael Connor, who’s been the athletic director at Bellingham High for the last seven years, was pleased with the way all the boys’ and girls’ teams competed.

“Traditions are great things, and the 17th annual Barry Hutchinson Memorial Tournament continued the tradition of great high school basketball,’’ he said. “Competitive games in tournaments like these are the goal and we saw some good ones.’’