By Scott Wild
The Morristown High School Girls Basketball team improved to 2-0 on the season Saturday afternoon against a talented Jefferson squad. Thanks to a strong defensive effort in the second half led by sophomore Caroline Condon off the bench, the Colonials pulled away for a decisive 48-35 victory in Oak Ridge.
The Colonials were slow to close out on Jefferson’s three-point shooters early in the game and trailed 23-19 at the half. As a result, the Falcons hit six three-pointers in the first two quarters, to just one by Morristown’s gritty senior point guard, Anna Rivetti.
Morristown outscored Jefferson 19-10 in the third quarter as Condon spearheaded a superior full- and half-court press that led to multiple turnovers and fast break opportunities.
With Jefferson leading 29-28, Condon found senior forward Maya Summerville with a nifty pass for a layup that gave MHS its first lead of the game, 30-29. Senior Cameron McGinley and junior Kate “KB” Bush each hit three-pointers as Morristown closed out the quarter with a 38-32 advantage.
Condon appeared to be a one-person full-court press as she continued to inspire Morristown defensively in the fourth quarter. Officially she was credited with six steals, but her intensity caused several more. Jefferson managed just one three-pointer in the final stanza, its ninth of the contest, as MHS closed out the game with a 10-3 run.
Summerville, who will continue her basketball career at Northeastern University, filled up the stat sheet for the Colonials with five steals of her own to go along with a game-high 15 points, nine rebounds, and five assists. Rivetti, who has committed to playing lacrosse at Lehigh next year, added 13 points and six rebounds.
Condon totaled eight points, including making all four of her free throws, and tied Summerville with a game-high nine rebounds. McGinley and Bush both scored five points and senior Laura Wild rounded out the scoring with a tough slashing basket.
Senior Emily Poulas led the way for Jefferson with 14 points, including four three-pointers. Junior Bridget Hokenberg made three three-pointers to add nine points for the Falcons.
Next up for the Colonials, who finished with a 16-10 record last season, is conference rival Montville, Tuesday, Dec. 19, Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, night at home. Montville beat Morristown both times they played last season and had a 24-5 record overall.
Scott Wild has enjoyed cheering on his four kids through their athletic careers at Morristown High. His daughter Laura is a senior on the girls basketball team. Between games, Wild also serves on the town zoning board.
