Four Patriots posted double-digit contributions against Spruce Mountain Saturday afternoon, Jan. 2, including Izzy DeTroy, who spearheaded the assault with 14. Gray-New Gloucester seesawed versus the visiting Phoenix for a couple quarters, but gradually pulled away for a 57-47 W.
Gray-New Gloucester head coach Mike Andreasen was pleased overall with his girls’ efforts, though like any good coach, he offered up critiques in addition to his praise.
“It was a solid performance. We played well defensively,” he said, “but didn’t do an effective job closing out their three-point shooters.”
Spruce went nine of 22 from behind the arc.
Andreasen also remarked on some sloppy Patriots ball-handling and missed opportunities at the line.
“We need to cut down on turnovers, and do a better job at the free-throw line,” he said. G-NG hit just 15 of 30 foul shots.
The Phoenix grabbed an early lead, but between Ashley Jordan, Skye Conley and Grace Kariotis, the Patriots clawed to a 12-9 advantage after one. DeTroy added her first points – a two and four free-throws – in the second, allowing G-NG to build to 27-23 at the break.
Andreasen applauded DeTroy’s efforts.
“Izzy played perhaps her finest game in a Patriots uniform,” he said. In addition to her 14 points, DeTroy also hashed nine assists and ably covered Spruce’s top threat, Alex Bessey.
G-NG slowly pulled further ahead in the latter half, outscoring the Phoenix 11-9 in the third and 19-15 in the fourth for the 57-47 final.
Kariotis and Jordan each tallied a dozen Patriots points; Conley finished with 11.
The win bumped G-NG to 7-1 in B South. The team hosted Fryeburg on Tuesday, the 5th, losing 36-33. The Lady Patriots are third in their division, though the battle for No. 1 is tight, with Lincoln in possession at present and Mtn. Valley vying for the position as well. The Patriots welcome Wells on Saturday the 9th.
G-NG’s Izzy DeTroy, seen here dishing on the attack past a Spruce opponent, led her squad’s offense with 14 points and nine assists on Saturday.
G-NG’s Skye Conley drives basketward despite a looming Phoenix.
Patriot Brianna Jordan wedges her way between a pair of Spruce opponents in pursuit of a rebound on Saturday.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
