Go Vineyard! Island Teams Three for Three in State Tournaments

It has been quite an exciting week for Martha’s Vineyard varsity sports teams with both the varsity girls’ and boys’ basketball teams bringing home wins. And particularly exciting was the girls’ varsity hockey team beating Dennis-Yarmouth on Tuesday in the teams’ first appearance ever in the state tournament in the 14-year history of the program.

Girls’ Hockey

After a 2-1 qualifying game against Marshfield last week, the girls’ hockey team played the first round of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association tournament on Tuesday. Playing in front of a packed home crowd at the , the girls’ hockey team slammed Dennis-Yarmouth, 5-0.

The 13th-seeded Vineyarders now play 4th-seeded Norwood team on Friday at 5 pm at Canton.

According to an article in the Martha’s Vineyard Times, “ The coach (John Fiorito) said the Vineyarders have their work cut off for them in the next round against Norwood, a team that plays in a tougher conference and lost in the state semi-finals last year by a single goal.”

For Fiorito the team had already accomplished what they wanted and said that the rest “is just gravy,” reported the Times. Fiorito also said that he couldn’t have coached a better team.

Girls’ Basketball

On Tuesday, the girls’ varsity basketball team took part in their first tournament game since 2003. The 11th-seeded Vineyarders beat the 6th-seeded Ashland Clockers 49-45. Next up is a home game at the against the 14th-seeded East Bridgewater this afternoon, March 1st, at 4 pm.

The Martha’s Vineyard Times reported that the game came down to the wire in the last few seconds. The Vineyarders took a four-point lead in the closing seconds, but the Clockers drew a three-point foul. They sank the first two free throws and missed the third shot intentionally to bring the lead down to two.

“Both teams scrambled for the rebound before it was secured by Katie Stewart, who was fouled immediately. She went to the line and sank both free throws to seal the 49-45 win for the Vineyarders,” reported the Times.

Boys’ Basketball

Continuing the Island’s winning streak on Wednesday the boys’ varsity basketball team defeated Dedham Marauders in a home game by a whopping 79-46.

According to the Martha’s Vineyard Times, “the Vineyarders were led by Peter Keaney, with 27 points, and Jack Roberts, who scored 15 points. Izak Brown had 10 points in the win, and teammates Del Araujo and Will Stewart each had six.”

Marauders Jeffrey Clifford scored 12 points, and Mike Ryan scored 11 in the loss.

With the win, the Vineyarders advance to play in another home game on Friday, March 2nd at 4 pm against Bishop Feehan who beat Bourne 57-52 on Wednesday.