It was a banner weekend for Beaver sports when our boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball teams each won their respective league tournaments on February 27.
The girls capped their season with a 56-52 win over Portsmouth Abbey in the Eastern Independent League (EIL) Tournament at Dana Hall, bringing their record to 16-4 and extending a 6-game winning streak. Portsmouth was undefeated in regular season and the #1 seed. BCDS was the #2 seed. Emily Belowich ’11 had a career-high in the game, scoring 19 points, followed by Daisy Jordan ’11, who tallied 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Ibbie Yardley ’10, who added 12 points and 7 rebounds.
The boys came into their season-ending tournament at Concord Academy having already locked up the 2010 EIL Regular Season Title. They had a close call in their first round game versus Bancroft, but went on to win 67-60 OT. They moved on to face Pingree (the league’s runner-up) in the finals and came out on top 60-56. With the two tournament wins, their record went to 21-5, and they finished with an 8-game winning streak. Rene Castro ’13 connected on a 3-pointer with :04 remaining in regulation vs. Bancroft to force the overtime and scored a total 38 points in the game.
“I could not be more thrilled with the outcomes of both EIL Tournaments. Our teams have exhibited great perseverance and dedication to put Beaver basketball on top,” said Director of Athletics and girls’ varsity head coach Sherry Levin.
Both teams earned berths in their NEPSAC championships to be played away on March 3. The girls will travel to Waterbury, CT, to face the #1 seeded Chase Collegiate School in the first round of the Class C division, while the boys will go to Trumball, CT, take on #2 seeded Christian Heritage in the Class D1 division. Both games begin at 4 PM.
In the small world department: Cat Maher, assistant coach for the Beaver girls’ varsity, is an alumna of Chase Collegiate and a local high school basketball legend. From Chase’s website: “The contest will be particularly special as the game will be a homecoming for Cat Maher (’04) who serves as an assistant at Beaver Country Day. Maher was a standout here at Chase starring in basketball and cross country….Maher remains the city of Waterbury’s all-time leading scorer with 1,882 career points. Maher continued her career at Trinity College and began working at BCDS upon graduation. ‘Cat was one of the best players ever to wear the Chase jersey,’ said Coach Behr. ‘We are still very close and it will be strange to see her on the other sideline Wednesday afternoon but I am happy for her. I am just glad she is in the coaching/teaching profession because she has so much to offer high school student-athletes.'”