603 D2 Playoffs: Offensive Teamwork Prevails

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scrappy and offensive aggression shines in the D2 1st round matchup between #5 Laconia and #12 John Stark with the Sachems winning 59-44.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Laconia Sachems are fun to watch this year, especially in their home gym. They are grinders. Their offensive punch is steady and consistent. This allows for them to score and wear down teams.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Led by the offensive powerhouse sophomore #34 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='289132' first='Macy' last='Swormstedt']</strong>. On the season she is close to averaging 20 points per game and over 3 assists per game. She is athletic and smart. Her speed, decision making, and ability to run in the open court make her special. Macy has really developed her scoring punch as she has always been a pass first player, but now is able to create more consistently for herself in the half court. Her running one hander and finish is a skill you do not see someone finesse already like she has.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#21 <strong>Renee Bergeron </strong>can score at the rim. I versatile wing, Renee showed great offensive ability playing positions 1-3 and even a step out 4 at various times in the game. She helped with both the 1st quarter and 3rd quarter runs that opened up the game. She can score at the rim or in the midrange well. A nice release, she can shoot the ball but it is her movement without the ball that made her most standout on the offensive end. A lot of potential in her game!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#14 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='387147' first='Mekhia' last='Burton']</strong> is an athlete and impacted the game on both ends. She has strong footwork and can't jump, leading to her great defense and movement offensively being efficient and effective. She is an athletic and versatile wing who can play inside or out. Her midrange game is string, and she is mobile inside back to the basket and can finish well around the rim. Fun to watch! A big upside to her game!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#2 <strong>Madeline Mousseau</strong> was scrappy. Involved in the transition game often both into offense and getting back on defense. Her style is uptempo and she helps to keep the Sachem train going. A great teammate!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>John Stark is a well rounded team who displayed a versatile inside and outside game, but had a few offensive lulls which allowed Laconia to capitalize.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#44 <strong>Eleanor Giradet</strong> finished with a string showing of 9 points and 8 rebounds and was just steady, especially drawing double teams and when get shots off while fouled. She is a solid big who finishes with both hands. A&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#30 <strong>Abby Duclos</strong> shined as an all around d scorer and even more, an all around player. She catches your attention on both ends of the floor. Her stat line is always full and she gets involved in all categories and this game was no exception. I love her ability to shoot but more impressively to go off the dribble. With a great eye for the ball and understanding of rotations, it was evident she is a competitor and takes no plays off. A player to keep an eye on.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>32 <strong>Emma Dobbins</strong> is another big for the general who can finish around the run. She is effective with her catches and protects the ball well. On the defensive end, she plays smart. Had good timing on defensive and rebounds consistently.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#21 <strong>Isabel Korbet </strong>was a hidden gem in my eyes. As a wing, she can handle the ball and cuts well in the offense. She seemingly was one of the General's best defenders as well. Enjoy her game and plan to watch this program more in future years.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sachems now head on the road to #4 Hanover and it will be a fast paced game. The most efficient team that night and the winner will be the one who can contain the other's top scorer in Swormstedt and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446542' first='Sydney' last='McLaughlin']</strong> (out of Hanover).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->