METHUEN — After winning the Commonwealth Conference Small division, Presentation of Mary had high hopes of a long state tournament run.
Instead, the No. 7 Panthers ran into ferocious Newburyport, which overwhelmed PMA, 49-28, in the first round of the Division 3 North tourney.
Kaitlin St. Peter (game-high 13 points) and Becky Smith (11 points) played well, but the Panthers struggled to get good shots.
By the end of the first half, the Clippers had built a 23-11 lead. And after another quarter the game was out of reach as No. 10 Newburyport closed out the third on a 10-0 run to take a 37-15 lead.
After the game, PMA coach Bob Melillo conceded his Panthers just did not have the athletes to match the Clippers, who play Division 2 teams in the Cape Ann League.
"Newburyport was just a better team," said Melillo. "We could not handle their quickness through their defensive pressure, and that's what the game came down to.
"They were really well prepared and knew exactly what we wanted to do. I think Becky (Smith) worked really hard, but they knew she was our best player, and did a good job denying her the ball."
Melillo thanked his three seniors Jennifer Ladd, Marlene Paulino, and Natalie Quinn.
"Our three seniors were wonderful all year, and had a really nice season," said Melillo. "We won the Commonwealth Small and that was really a credit to their performance."
Newburyport 49, Presentation of Mary 28
Division 3 North First Round
Newburyport (49): Hickman 5-1-12, Hadwen 1-3-5, Boyd 1-3-5, Bresnahan 3-0-8, Baribeault 1-0-2, Chase 1-3-5, Campbell 2-2-6, Hill 1-0-2, Souther 1-0-2, Tomasz 0-2-2. Totals 15-14-49
Presentation of Mary (28): Paulino 1-0-2, St. Peter 5-3-13, Smith 4-3-11, Acosta 1-0-2. Totals 11-6-28
3-pointers: N — Hickman 1, Bresnahan 2
Newburyport (10-8): 12 11 14 12 — 49
Presentation of Mary (13-8): 4 7 4 13 — 28
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