BY SAPNA PATHAK
For three quarters, his team makes just enough shots, grabs just enough rebounds and finds just enough open lanes to maintain slim leads. But it’s the final eight minutes when head coach Corey Boilard’s players stop doing just enough of anything and start doing more than enough.
Forget the fact it was Senior Night on Friday, Feb. 2, the girls of Bow basketball didn’t waiver from their usual attack, leading to a 51-38 win over John Stark.
“We’re more a second-half team,” said Boilard. “It’s the same type of thing – a back-and-forth effort the first three quarters and then we take control in the fourth. Our pressure defense causes turnovers and we play some great team ball.”
In his first year at the helm, Boilard has led Bow to a 14-3 record, as of Wednesday, Feb. 7.
Against the Generals, senior co-captain Katie Seraikas scored nine points, grabbed five rebounds, blocked three shots and snagged four steals. Junior guard Kaitlyn Hinck and senior Sherry Darrell led the Falcons with 14 points apiece.
Trailing the Generals in the first quarter, 12-2, Bow began narrowing the deficit. John Stark took a 25-22 lead into intermission, but the Falcons outscored the Generals, 15-8, in the third period. Bow capitalized on two turnovers in as many possessions to open the second half.
Stark was stymied in the final frame, as the locals allowed one field goal.
In their first meeting, a 47-33 win, the Falcons outscored the Generals, 20-4, in the fourth quarter.
Holding rival Bishop Brady to 16 points in the second half led to a 42-26 win on Jan. 30.
Losses to undefeated defending champion Kearsarge and runner up Oyster River are the only defeats the Falcons have suffered since a 60-43 stuffing by Merrimack Valley in the season opener.
“If we’re gonna lose, it might as well be to the champion and the second-place team from last year,” said Boilard. “We had a great second half vs. Kearsarge. The (girls) just didn’t really come with it against Oyster River.”
The Falcons wrap up their regular season at Plymouth Regional on Friday, Feb. 9.