THS’ Defense Was The Star of the Game

Milford vs Taunton

​The game started slow for both teams as it was 2-2 with 3:15 already gone in the 1st. But before long THS scored another 13 straight pts to end the 1st 15-2 and keep control of the game. Led by Sr. G Alexa White (#3) who led all scorers with 15 pts, the Tigers went on to get their 5th victory of the year. The Tigers team defense is really what helped them secure this victory as offensively they seemed out of sorts to start the game. They even got contributions from the bench as the starters sat most of the 4th with the game in hand by that point.
 
    The game started on a slower note as it seemed the Tigers were settling for a lot of jump shots. It was still 2-0 Milford with 5:00 left in the 1st as the ball seemed to stick a lot on the THS side. But their defensive effort was there from the start, which is why the Hawks were never able to go on a run. Alexa White found Fr. G Braeley MacDonald (#44) under the rim for an easy bucket to really get the Tigers going offensively. Alexa and So. G Kelsey White (#24) traded scoring duties to give THS a 15-2 lead to end the 1st.
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    Alexa was then fouled 10 seconds into the 2nd and hit both FTs to make it 17-2. A few plays later So. G Tori DaRosa made a great steal at mid court and finished at the rim to make it 19-2 with 6:44 in the qtr. By this point the ball wasn’t sticking as much so the Tigers were getting easier shots. Evidenced by a nice pass as Sr. G Lily Patneaude (#5) had some nice vision to find Fr. G Abby Souza (#2) underneath the basket for a lay-up. Alexa White capped off the 2nd qtr scoring with a fast break lay-up and a mid range jumper to give THS a 27-9 lead.
 
    The 3rd saw more of the same as THS’ defense was still smothering Milford. Lily Patneaude took a charge about 40 seconds into the qtr, and was fouled about a minute later as she hit 1 of 2 to make it 28-10. The closest Milford ever got was 32-17 after a made 3pt by So. G Jillian Michelson (#23) with about 2:14 left in the 3rd. The Tigers then went on a 9-0 run to end the qtr. Lily Patneaude hit a jumper around the FT line with about 5 seconds left to make it 41-17.
 
    The Tigers came out as focused as they had been all game to start the 4th as they started the qtr on a 7-0 run. So. F Sonya Fernandez had a nice put back off her own miss, then Braeley MacDonald hits a jumper on the next possession. Kelsey White then hits an open 3pt and before you could blink it was 48-17. It was then that Coach Harrigan decided to bring the starters back to the bench, as the game was essentially decided by that point. But not before Abby Souza put on a quick show as she got 11 of her 13 pts in the 4th as the Tigers won the game 61-23.
 
    THS’ next game is this Friday, January 18th. The Tigers look to go .500 as they head out on the road to face the Attleboro Bombardiers. Tip off is at 6:30.

Jason Delgado

Jason is a Taunton Alum and sports journalist covering home games and meets at Taunton High School.