SPRINGFIELD — Bishop Feehan senior forward Lauren Manis and junior guard Katie Nelson had front-row seats to watch their team capture the first basketball state title in school history Saturday at the MassMutual Center.
After Nelson poured in 20 points and Manis dropped 19, the Shamrocks led Natick by 26 with just more than a minute to play in the Division 1 title game, prompting coach Michael Deady to pull his starters.
“I just couldn’t believe it. I turned over to Katie and said, ‘We’re state champions,’?’’ Manis said. “That’s something we’ve dreamt about the whole season, and me, my whole high school career. It’s just really awesome.’’
Bishop Feehan freshmen Brianna Gillen and Ainsley Jolin closed out the 59-32 victory at the free throw line to cap a 23-1 season. The Shamrocks’ only setback came in their second game, and they never looked back.
“It feels amazing, this hasn’t happened at all for Feehan,’’ Nelson said. “It’s humbling to know that we went out there and got the win.’’
Natick junior Skylar Schmid scored on the opening possession to give the Redhawks (16-9) the lead, but the Holy Cross-bound Manis answered with 5 straight points. After a back-and-forth first quarter, Bishop Feehan held a slim 11-10 advantage.
Propelled by 9 points from Manis, Bishop Feehan began to pick up in the second frame and opened a 30-18 lead at halftime. Natick senior Justine Gaziano, who will play at Brown next season, kept the Redhawks in the contest with 12 first-half points.
But Gaziano was held scoreless in the third quarter and Bishop Feehan widened its lead, forging a 45-24 advantage with eight minutes to play.
“We knew that we had to stop Justine, she’s an incredible player,’’ Manis said. “And I think we went out in the second half and we just wanted it so bad and we did everything we could to get it.’’
Feehan kept rolling in the fourth quarter, leaving no doubt this was the Shamrocks’ year to finally bring a state title to Attleboro.
“We’ve been blessed over the years, we’ve had great teams,’’ Bishop Feehan coach Mike Deady said. “This team was able to cast aside some things and really focus. This is a tribute to all the girls who played at Feehan for many, many years. We’re proud of our girls this year but we’re proud of every single girl who’s worn the green and white and this is as much for them as it is for the girls tonight.’’
