| |  | | | |  | | Sophomore Chayleigh Cadarette goes up for two points over Mascoma Valley’s Kayla Larocque during Belmont’s 46-39 loss to the Royals on Jan. 11. Cadarette had her eighth double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds. RC Greenwood. (click for larger version) |
January 14, 2013 BELMONT – The records indicated a mismatch coming in, but the Belmont High School girls' basketball team didn't play this one on paper.
Despite welcoming a Mascoma Valley Regional High School team that sported a 5-2 record, the Red Raiders (1-8) stayed right with the Royals for the majority of the contest on Jan. 11. But foul trouble and a prolonged scoring slump in the fourth quarter proved to be Belmont's undoing, as the hosts dropped a 46-39 decision to Mascoma in Division III action.
"We're there…it's just a matter of getting the girls to believe," said Belmont coach Mark Dawalga. "We were able to execute a lot better tonight than we have been. You just have to look at the little things when you aren't able to post wins."
The Raiders had to overcome foul trouble all night, something that has been a constant problem for them this winter. Sophomores Chayleigh Cadarette and Cassie Contigiani both fouled out in the fourth quarter, and the duo combined for 21 of Belmont's 39 points despite spending large stints on the bench.
"It's tough but we did a better job staying in the game with them on the bench than we have been doing," said Dawalga.
Mascoma led just 23-21 at halftime, and the two teams stayed tight throughout the entire third quarter. Neither team led by more than two points in the frame, as the squads traded baskets. Cadarette, who finished with her eighth double double of the season (10 points, 10 rebounds), picked up her fourth foul of the night with 4:26 left in the third, forcing the talented forward to sit for the remainder of the period.
In Cadarette's absence, Contigiani stepped up and controlled the tempo at the point. The floor general found Andreya Murphy for an assist in the post to give Belmont a 31-30 lead late in the third, and the Raiders trailed just 34-32 entering the fourth.
"Cassie played well for us tonight," said Dawalga. "Kylie O'Connell also gave us some good minutes when we needed her to do that."
Mascoma drained a 3 to take a 37-32 lead early in the fourth, but Contigiani made two free throws and Courtney Clairmont got to the hoop for an easy layup to get the hosts back within 37-36 with 6:30 to play.
Belmont struggled from there however, as the foul trouble finally caught up with the Raiders. Cadarette fouled out with 4:05 to play, and Contigiani followed suit with 1:53 to go. The Royals took advantage from the free throw line, as they buried seven freebies as part of a 9-0 run that saw the lead extend to 46-36 with 1:53 remaining. Jackelyn Robarge's deep three-pointer in the waning seconds stopped the bleeding for Belmont, but the 6:23 scoreless drought proved to be the Raiders' undoing in the 46-39 final.
"It's a great experience playing in a close game like this because these girls won't – and didn't – quit," Dawalga explained. "They play all 32 minutes and that's how you have to start building this thing up."
The Raiders got off to a strong start on the night, as Cadarette scored six straight out of the gates to put Belmont ahead 6-1 with 5:01 remaining. The sophomore scored 10 of her team's first 13 points, putting the hosts ahead 13-11 with 6:14 left in the second quarter.
O'Connell and Elizabeth Yelle scored key hoops late in the half, as Belmont stayed within range entering the locker room.
Yelle finished with six points for the Raiders on the night, with Contigiani leading the way with 11.
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