By Jim Clark
TOWNSEND -- For most teams, losing a player like Jessica Veysey to foul trouble would spell all kinds of trouble. But the North Middlesex girls continue to prove they are more than just a one-player show. Several others were able to pick up the slack in the first half, and then Veysey returned with her inside presence after intermission to help the Pats put away a 71-50 win over Fitchburg at Bartlett Gymnasium.
Veysey still finished with a game-high 21 points, as well as 15 rebounds and 3 blocks. In her absence for the final 10 minutes of the first half, North Middlesex was able to build a sizeable lead behind the scoring of Jen McGonagle and fine play from just about everyone else.
"We played pretty well. I thought we established ourselves real early," said North Middlesex coach Pat Murphy.
McGonagle had 11 of her 15 pints during the crucial first half stretch as Noth Middlesex built a 40-25 halftime lead. Fitchburg (9-6) got it down to nine early in the second half but couldn't make it any closer. "We did what we wanted in the beginning," said FHS coach Tony Alario. "We took it at Veysey and got her in foul trouble."
The Red Raiders started well as Shelly Richard had five of her 20 points right away, and hoops by Alicia Gauvin and Sara Thomas (12) points helped open a quick 10-9 lead. Veysey had seven of those nine points for the Patriots, but three quick fouls sent her to the bench.
The Pats responded with an 8-0 run as McGonagle converted a nice feed from Julie Mello (5 assists), Lisa CAstellano (10 points, 4 assists) scored a pair of fast break hoops, and Janet Davenport worked hard on the glass to put back a second rebound.
"Janet came in and did a great job. She's practiced all year for times like this," Murphy said.
NOrht Middlesex was able to steadily pull away, with fine play off the bench from Davenport, Robyn King, and Jessica Northrop. It was Northrop's trey with 24.8 seconds left in the half that sent the Pats into the locker room with a 15 point lead.
"Everyone was filling in their spots," Murphy said. "When you do that, it's a home run."
Fitchburg stayed close throughout the second half until a 9-0 run in the final four minutes finished it off for good. "They're working hard. They're not quitting, and that's to their credit," Alario said. "I just wished for a few more buckets, though."