Pilgrim tops Woonsocket to remain undefeated

By ALEX SPONSELLER
Posted 1/22/19

The visiting Pilgrim girls basketball would jump out to an early lead over Woonsocket and never look back as it wrapped up a 43-18 win last Friday, improving to 7-0 and maintaining its undefeated record this season. The Lady Pats would mount a 10-0 lead

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Pilgrim tops Woonsocket to remain undefeated

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The visiting Pilgrim girls basketball would jump out to an early lead over Woonsocket and never look back as it wrapped up a 43-18 win last Friday, improving to 7-0 and maintaining its undefeated record this season.

The Lady Pats would mount a 10-0 lead early in the first half, and enter the break up 18-7. They would continue to cruise in the second half, and at one point piece together a 13-0 run to outpace the Villa Novans and secure the lopsided victory.

“We’re playing better with a lot more confidence, I think we’re playing good team basketball right now. Everyone is passing, it doesn’t matter who you are, the open guys are getting the ball. We’re outhustling and outworking teams right now … we may not have the best players but we have the most heart,” said Pilgrim coach Scott Bayha after the win.

The Pats were effective on offense throughout the win, and would see nine different girls score. Sara Langevin and Nadine Ongi led the way with eight points each, while Alexandra Brown added seven and Kailey Giarrusso six.

After a few down seasons in Division II, the Pats made the move to Division III this winter. Now at 7-0, the Pats feel like they are beginning to hit their stride.

“It’s big and it feels so good. I definitely think it’s confidence, last year we would go into games as the prey but this year we go into games aggressive, we dive for the ball, and we’re the predator. I think our team is aggressive and people underestimate us,” said Ongi, who put on a show alongside Langevin. “We’re actually in class together so we go over plays. She was just going to the right spots and I was finding the openings so it paid off. (Having depth) takes a lot off of you because you don’t feel the need to always be the one to score, we get good ball movement and find ways to get good shots off.”

Depth and chemistry have been key during the stretch according to Bayha.

“We were running one offense in the first half but then used a new offense if the second. This year, girls are running the offense so they know where they’re supposed to be which makes a big difference as opposed to just running around aimlessly. When they run the offense, everyone is set and ready to go. We’re moving the ball well, we’re playing unselfish, we have a lot of assists. We’re playing great team basketball,” said Bayha.

The Pats not only put on a clinic offensively in the win, but they also stifled the Woonsocket offense in the early going. Between a successful press defense and winning the rebound battle, the Lady Pats shut down the Villa Novans in all areas.

“Our tall girls are very athletic and move very well. We used almost all of our players tonight, we play 14-15 kids sometimes so we are always fresh and are playing aggressive, in your face basketball. We’re wearing teams out pretty good,” said Bayha. “Everyone has been showing up to practice, putting in the work, we earn our W’s.”

Pilgrim will next host Times 2 Academy this Friday night at home.

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