Hip Hoopsters Top Monstrosity For Intermediate Title

The Hip Hoopsters edged the Monstrosity 23-22, in an exciting game that wasn’t decided until the finish, to claim the Newtown Youth Basketball Association’s Intermediate Division championship this past weekend.

The Hip Hoopsters jumped out to a quick lead behind some fine passing from Liz Weisgerber and opportune baskets from the Findley sisters and Natalie Kelchner, taking a 9-6 advantage into the second quarter.

The Monstrosity, it seems, just took awhile to warm up with four different players scoring in the second quarter, while holding the Hoopsters scoreless with outstanding defense by Carly Swierbut, Anna Cartelli, Brooke Antous, and Cailin Wilson. The Monstrosity ended the half with a five-point lead.

The second half turned out to be a real dogfight as the Hoopsters came out strong behind accurate shooting of Heather Azzarito, rebounds and outlet passes by Weisgerber, and stingy defense by Emily Krasnickas, Cathy Hyeon, Jenna Gonski, and Grace Corcoran. The Monstrosity weathered the third quarter storm with some strong rebounding efforts and fast break opportunities from Jenna Carvalho, Dani Otero, and Katie McCabe. They hung to a one-point lead with the final eight minutes to play.

The fans were on the edge of their seats. Both teams appeared to be exhausted, but there was no giving in from either side. The Hip Hoopsters seemed to start to take control of the game as they held a five-point advantage with about two minutes left behind strong play from Weisgerber and Kelchner.

Madison Findley seemed to have worked out the Monstrosity’s press and control was the name of the game, until Katie McCabe decided to take a bit of the control for herself.  She scored on a nice put-back and converted two free throws to close the gap to one with less than a minute to play. A couple of missed opportunities by Monstrosity and some strong rebounding by the Hoopsters, allowed the Hoopsters to escape with the one point victory. It was a tremendously well-played game by both teams.

The scoring stats are as follows: Hip Hoopsters – Natalie Kelchner 5 points, Grace Corcoran 2 points, Camryn Findley 4 points, Madison Findley 4 points, Liz Weisgerber 4 points, Heather Azzarito 4 points; Monstrosity – Brooke Antous 2 points, Katie McCabe 6 points, Dani Otero 4 points, Jenna Carvalho 4 points, Cailin Wilson 2 points, Caitlyn Child 2 points, Anna Cartelli 2 points.