Lady Warriors Take Second in MCCAC Tournaments

The Lady Warriors of Massasoit competed in the Massachusetts State Junior College tournament this weekend for the second time in two seasons. As the number two seed in the tournament Massasoit drew the number three seed Springfield Technical Community College who they lost to only a week ago. The Lady Warriors played brilliantly in the first half building an 11 point lead by the end of the half, 35-24, behind the scoring of Katy Holt and Treasa O’Neil who each scored 10 points in the first half. At the 10 minute mark of the second half The Lady Warriors had amassed a 20 point lead, but Springfield would not go away quietly as they fought tooth and nail to cut the lead to 8 points by the end of the game. The Warriors held on 62-54 and moved to the final game and a chance at the State title for the second year in a row behind the effort of Treasa O’Neil (20 points, 3 assists) and Katy Holt (16 Points). Joneiha Veiga also grabbed 14 rebounds in the win.

In the second game of the tournament on Sunday the Lady Warriors faced the number one seed, Roxbury Community College. During the season the Tigers of Roxbury defeated Massasoit twice by margins of 18 and 16 points. The game did not start well for Massasoit as they found themselves quickly down 10-0 with fifteen minutes remaining in the half. By the end of the half the Warriors were down 38-17 and it looked like the game was going to be a blow-out, but the Lady Warriors would not surrender. With a Herculean effort, the Warriors managed to cut the lead to 10 points with just five minutes left in the game behind the play of Diva Pierre. It looked like the Warriors might come back, but a 4 point play by Jillisa Walcott who stuck a three pointer, was fouled, and made the foul shot, sealed the game for the Tigers. Katy Holt led the scoring for Massasoit with 14 points and Diva Pierre added 11 points and 5 assists in the loss.

Massasoit (3 seed) takes on the number 2 seed, the University of Connecticut at Avery Point, next Saturday at Quinsigamond College in the Regional tournament for a bid at the national tournament.