Every rivalry matchup is better when both teams are playing their best. Luckily for fans of the St. Mary’s and Bishop Fenwick basketball teams, that’s the case this year.
The first snowstorm of the year postponed what would have been an epic Friday night of matchups between the two rival schools, with the boys basketball teams set to face off at Conigliaro Gymnasium and the girls basketball teams scheduled to meet on the newly-renovated court at Bishop Fenwick High School. Now, the two games will take place Wednesday evening — same times (6:30 for both), same places.
While it’s going to be impossible to be in two places at the same time, you’re going to want to be. Both games offer the potential to be among the best of the year.
On the girls side, the matchup will be one between two of the top-ranked teams in the state. St. Mary’s has already played eight games and posted a 7-1 record, and its trip down to southwest Florida in late December helped to sharpen the Spartans even more. St. Mary’s captured the Boverini Tournament championship for the seventh straight year and has three players — Yirsy Queliz, Niya Morgen and Kellyn Preira — averaging double digits in points this season. The Spartans also have a seventh-grader — Bella Owumi — excelling in the starting lineup, in addition to contributions from a number of other players.
“We’ve gotten off to a great start, but we know every day comes with new challenges so we’re just trying to stay where we’re at,” said Spartans coach Jeff Newhall. “We’ve gotten a lot of great contributions from girls who have stepped into their role and really played well when they’ve gotten the opportunity. We’re running eight or nine girls out there every game, and we’re happy to do it.”
For Bishop Fenwick (4-2), Olivia Found is running the point while Cecilia Kay has averaged a double-double in the paint. Nasha Arnold, Maria Orfanos and Ella Andrew have also played well early in the season.
“We’re in a pretty good spot, but we also know we have a lot of room to improve,” said Fenwick coach Adam DeBaggis. “Our losses have come against really good teams, but you have to beat really good teams to get where you want at the end of the year.”
As for Wednesday night’s matchup, which will be the first rematch since the two battled for the CCL Cup back in February (St. Mary’s won 46-40), both coaches are sure it will be another classic rivalry matchup.
“Every year, it seems like we’re two of the top teams in the state and it’s always a great battle,” said Newhall. “Going on the road this time around, I think that’s the toughest place for us to play every year.”
“This year, it looks like we’re a little bigger and they probably have more team speed,” said DeBaggis. “But they’re an incredibly tough team to play against, and if you let them get on a run you’re going to be in trouble.”
On the boys side, St. Mary’s (8-1) is riding high coming off of marquee wins against teams like Beverly, Cathedral, Lynn English and St. John’s Prep as well as a couple of victims in southwest Florida already to this point in the season. David Brown Jr. has been the do-it-all man for the Spartans so far this year, while Ali Barry, Omri Merryman and Derick Coulanges are also averaging double digits in points. Adding in contributions from the likes of Henri Miraka and strong bench play from guys like Nick Sacco and Anthony D’Itria and the Spartans have plenty of depth to rely on.
“We’re happy with how we’re playing and we’ve notched some big wins early in the year,” said St. Mary’s coach Dave Brown. “The kids are really coming along and our top-five guys are all averaging anywhere from nine to 14 points, which is great.”
Bishop Fenwick suffered its first loss of the season to a tough Arlington Catholic team on Tuesday, but the Crusaders are still playing some great basketball. The three-headed offensive attack of Mike Yentin, Jason Romans and Che Hanks are all averaging at least 17 points per game to lead the way.
“We’ve played well so far and our top-three guys have really led the way on both sides of the floor for us,” said Fenwick coach Kevin Moran. “But at the same time, we know there are a lot of areas where we need to improve, especially when going up against a team like St. Mary’s.”
These two teams also last met back in February, when David Brown Jr. scored 30 points to lift the Spartans to a 73-64 win in a CCL Cup quarterfinal game. This year, the Spartans are looking to do the same.
“We know Fenwick is a very talented team and they have three of the top scorers on the North Shore,” said Dave Brown. “They beat us once last year and that was the first time in my nine years as coach, so the guys are motivated for this one. It’s also a big game for the league, and it’s been one of our goals all year to win the league.”
“For us, it’s going to come down to execution,” said Moran. “St. Mary’s is going to come with a lot of pressure and speed, so if we’re not executing, we’re going to turn the ball over and have a long night.”
The boys teams will face off at Conigliaro Gymnasium Wednesday (6:30), while the girls team will meet at Bishop Fenwick High School Wednesday (6:30).