LYNN — Performing on the big stage is something the St. Mary’s girls basketball team has grown accustomed to the past few years.
The Spartans have brought their A-game to Lowell’s Tsongas Center for two straight seasons, winning back-to-back Division 3 North titles — with the latest coming Saturday in a 59-44 win over Amesbury.
Now St. Mary’s has shifted its focus to the Division 3 state semifinal at TD Garden, a court that a handful of Spartans returners earned a win on just last season.
This year the winning formula has been a bit different each game on the court. The Spartans have found multiple ways to win games in the postseason, with the one constant being a strong defensive game.
“I think our defense has really been key for us these last few weeks,” Spartans coach Jeff Newhall said. “We’ve played three straight games where our opponents have been below 50 points each and that’s huge. Our defense has been strong and it’s a huge strength for our team right now.”
And the defense has come in handy. St. Mary’s offense has struggled at certain stretches as of late, and as the Spartans gear up for Wednesday’s semifinal matchup with South champion Rockland, they’ll need their offensive leaders to rise to occasion in key moments.
“Our offense hasn’t really been great recently,” Newhall said. “And the further you go the better the teams you play are going to be. The offense, sometimes, you can’t control as much but the defense you can and we’ve been solid on that end. You just hope the offense can come through in pressure situations like it has for us.”
Last year, St. Mary’s faced Catholic Central League rival Archbishop Williams in the state semifinal with Olivia Matela knocking down a game-winning 3-pointer to cap off a 62-59 Spartans victory.
But No. 2 Rockland dethroned Williams this year in a 53-37 victory in the South final.
Now the semifinal is looking like it might come down to which defense will step up Wednesday as Rockland has similarly allowed no more than 43 points to its postseason opponents this year.
“Rockland has a point guard who’s been their league’s MVP two years in a row now,” Newhall said. “She really controls the offense for them so she’ll be a focus for us.
“They also have two big forwards, one 6-foot another 6-foot-one and two perimeter players who can shoot,” Newhall said. “They do a little bit of everything. We’re a little familiar with them, they played in our Spartan Classic tournament a few years ago (a 53-43 loss in 2017). Williams had been on a great run of their own the last few years and (Rockland) was finally able to break through this season.”
In a game where both teams will be looking for any edge they can get, Newhall and the Spartans are hoping their big-game experience can pay dividends.
“It doesn’t hurt for sure,” Newhall said. “Especially in getting acclimated to the Garden. In games like these there’s always going to be key adjustments made in game. I’m hoping our adjustment can come a little faster than maybe a team that hasn’t played there. Any little edge you can get you’re looking to take advantage of.”
St. Mary’s and Rockland will tip off Wednesday afternoon (2) at TD Garden.