BHS Girls’ Five Ends TVL Losing Streak, Gets to Tourney
Calleigh Elder, left, and Anabella Barasso were selected as co-MVPs at the Bellingham High girls’ basketball post-season banquet. They also will be co-captains next season.
By KEN HAMWEY,
Bulletin Sports Writer
The Bellingham High girls’ basketball team finished its 2023-24 season with an overall record of 4-20. Those numbers may sound demoralizing, but in terms of achievement, they’re actually positive.
Coach Bob Pingeton’s squad qualified for the state tournament, and it also ended a four-year drought of failing to beat a Tri Valley League opponent. The Blackhawks defeated Ashland and Dedham for a pair of TVL triumphs that finally put their league losing record in their rear-view mirror.
The girls finished the 2023-24 season at No. 32 in the final power rankings, enabling it to grab the final slot for the Division 3 playoffs.
Their stay in the tourney, however, was brief. The girls defeated Advanced Math & Science Academy (AMSA), 36-31, in a thrilling play-in game in Bellingham, then faced a Herculean task against top-seeded Foxboro in the first round. The Warriors, who won the Division 2 State title last year, walloped the Blackhawks, 75-37, in a contest that was decided before the first quarter ended.
“We knew the matchup would be a huge challenge, and it turned out to be a tsunami,’’ said Pingeton. “Foxboro started hot, jumping out to a 20-0 lead by hitting its first eight shots. They had six three-pointers in the first quarter and led, 34-2.’’
The Blackhawks, who had only four points at halftime, outscored Foxboro in the second half by a 33-24 margin as both teams played their reserves.
Pingeton told his players at halftime that “this isn’t who we are, so go out and keep battling.’’ The coach was pleased with his players’ efforts and said: “I was proud of the way we battled back.’’
Eighth-grader Liz Glynn led the Blackhawks with 14 points, all of them coming in the third quarter. Calleigh Elder and Maya Jackson each had eight points. Foxboro was led by Kailey Sullivan’s 18 points and Addie Ruter had 10.
The play-in victory over AMSA looked like a blowout triumph for BHS after the first quarter when the Blackhawks jumped out to an 11-1 lead. The Eagles, however, cut their deficit to four at halftime and led, 28-27, to start the final stanza.
Pingeton’s first-quarter press worked wonders early on, but a BHS scoring drought forced him to change his defensive alignment. The Blackhawks re-grouped by outscoring AMSA by an 8-3 margin in the final quarter and escaped with a five-point win.
“Our defense was the difference,’’ Pingeton emphasized. “On two occasions, AMSA failed to beat the shot clock. On offense, Deb Kalemi got us going in the third quarter sinking a key three-pointer. And, in the final period, Calleigh clinched the outcome with a clutch three-pointer with three minutes to go and she converted two big free throws with 30 seconds left.’’
Anabella Barasso led the Blackhawks with 12 points. Elder followed with 10, and Kalemi had eight. Glynn contributed two free throws but grabbed some big rebounds for the Blackhawks.
“Liz has a big future ahead of her,’’ Pingeton offered. “That’s why she was playing when the game was on the line.’’
AMSA, which competes in the Colonial League and had a 14-6 record, was No. 34 in the power rankings but earned a playoff berth by finishing above .500.
Coach Bob Manzello praised his forces for their resilience and lauded the Blackhawks for their clutch play and defense, which held the Eagles to only three points in the final quarter.
“We’re proud of our girls,’’ he said. “They played hard and bounced back from a 10-point deficit early on. We held a good, well-coached Bellingham team to 36 points.’’
In spite of the Foxboro rout, Pingeton firmly believes his program is starting to jell.
“Our season had some definite plusses,’’ he said. “Of course, we would have liked to have won more games, but we feel like we’re turning the program around.’’
Pingeton hopes the two tourney appearances will lead to a string of playoff berths in the future.
“We’ve got the program stepping up and going in the right direction,’’ he said. “It’s all about hard work and commitment.’’
Captains Elder and Barasso for next season were announced at the team’s annual banquet at Savini’s in Blackstone. For Elder, it will be her second stint as a captain. “They’re respected by their teammates,’’ Pingeton said. “Calleigh and Anabella started as sophomores, and they have top-notch leadership ability.’’
Winners of team awards were Elder and Barasso (co-MVPs); Kalemi ((Defensive MVP); and Montana Bergland (Coaches Award).
Pingeton emphasized that his second season as head coach “had a different feel’’ compared to his rookie campaign. “We were more talented and had great team chemistry,’’ he said. “We’re looking forward to next year.’’
