By Norman Miller
FITCHBURG -- Sara Thomas poured in 23 points to lead the Fitchburg High girls' basketball team over the visiting Worcester South Colonels 89-35 at the Academy street Brickyard.
"A win is a win, and I'll take it," said FHS coach Tony Alario. "I didn't think we would be 6-1 at this point of the season."
The Colonels (0-7) kept it close early, behind the strong defensive play of Talsha Nicelson, who converted on two steals for four points, tying it up at 7-7.
But Fitchburg HIgh's defense shut down the Worcester South offense for 4:11 allowing only two points. The Red Raiders scored 10 points in the same span, making it 21-9, while showing that the fast break run right is a beautiful thing to watch as they scored on three straight breaks with Thomas getting three assists.
For the rest of the half, FHS toyed with the Colonels, opening up a 48-21 halftime lead behind Alicia Gauvin 13 first half points.
"Worcester South is not as bad as they look," said Alario. "I think a lot of it has to do with us having a real good game."
"We came out, from beginning to end, and we didn't try hard, said Worcester South coach Lee Hull. "They did, and they won."
The Colonels began a comeback attempt at the beginning of the second half, with Nicelson stealing the inbounds, and laying it up. But Thomas ended Worcester South's bid leading the Red Raiders on a 10-0 run with eight points while assisting on a basket by Taryn Paul, opening up a 60-23 lead.
After Angel McClain hit a free throw for South, Fitchburg just kept on running, scoring on the fast break, off of turnovers caused by their pressure defense, and the sloppy play of the Colonels, opening up a 60-26 lead.
Worcester South pulled it to 69-31 the closest the game would be but FHS went on another run, this one 12-0 led by Kristy Pappas's eight points, giving FGHS the comfortable 83-31 lead.
"We did some things on the break, " said Alario. "The passing was real good."
The Red Raiders host North Middlesex Monday in a key divisional matchup." "Its a tough game," said Alario. "All our games from now on our tough."