Girls’ Basketball Topples Thayer

This Saturday, the Exeter girls’ basketball team hosted Thayer Academy for an exciting match up. Big Red triumphed once again with 65-54 win to extend their winning streak to seven games.Playing tremendous offense and lock down defense, the reigning champions have definitely hit their stride.The girls came out with a bang, opening the game with a 16-4 run. Senior Julia Jackson commented on the early lead. “During the first eight minutes of the game, the team did a great job executing the offense effectively,” she said.Despite getting out to a comfortable lead, they maintained their intensity, preventing Thayer from getting back into the game. As a result, Exeter had an eleven point lead going into the half.After halftime, the girls returned to court with the same energy from the beginning, allowing them to defend their lead and close out the game.On offense, the girls were a cohesive unit. The team did a great job finding each other open, and converted on those chances. Thayer’s defense could contain the teamwork and skill with which Exeter executed. The girls raised the bar and beat their season high scoring record with 65 points.Thayer’s offense was a force to be reckoned with but the girls countered with a similarly stellar defense. The turnovers that the girls forced not only shut down Thayer’s offense, but gave Exeter many scoring opportunities.

“We stuck players on the other teams outside shooters to shut them down and we played great help defense.”

Lower Ella Johnson expanded on the team’s suffocating defense. “We stuck players on the other teams outside shooters to shut them down and we played great help defense.” Even though the defense eased back a few times, they never gave Thayer the chance to make a comeback.Captain and senior Peace Kabari had an outstanding game and her success influenced the rest of the team. On both ends of the floor she led by example and was one of Exeter’s greatest assets.Lower Michaella McCarthy applauded her captain’s performance. “Her defense has been spectacular and she’s really pushed the pace of our transition offense.” Although Kabari shined during this game, it took a full team effort to come out with the win.The victory over this weekend marks Exeter’s seventh win in a row. In a turn of events, a team that stumbled to a 0-4 record just over a month ago, has dominated to 7-4.This ties Exeter girls’ basketball’s longest winning streak over the last decade and a win over their next opponents, Governor’s Academy, will break that record.The team is excited that they were able to get their season back on track and will work hard to keep it going in the right direction. After playing Governor’s Academy on Wednesday, the team will take on Andover this coming Saturday.