The Westport girls basketball team steamrolled Bishop Connolly 49-14 in Fall River on Wednesday after losing their second game of the season to Somerset Berkley 67-49 in a non-league away game on Monday night. The blowout win improved the Wildcats record to 11-2. The Cougars were no match for the Wildcats who out-quicked, out-passed, out-jumped, out-rebounded the Cougars in a dominating performance. Centers Jenna Egbe and Meghan Molloy combined for 16 of the Wildcats' 32 rebounds. Bishop Connolly had trouble getting the ball up the court as Westport made 30 steals, defensively.  

“Our intention was to put the pressure on them from the beginning,” said Westport head coach Jen Gargiulo. “It’s our defense that really translates into our offense. We have implemented a full court press. It forces teams to play at a speed that they are uncomfortable with.”

Senior guard Leah Sylvain scored 8 of her 15 points in the first quarter as Westport raced out to a 19-5 lead. Sylvain drained three 3-pointers and led the team with six steals.

Westport added 19 more points in the second quarter to take a 38-7 lead at halftime. Sarah Perry scored 10 points with a pair of 3-pointers and Korynne Holden scored 10 points, eight in the first half. Molloy scored 5, Tess Sylvia netted 3 and Egbe, Julia George and Molly Costa each scored 2 points. 

Coach Gargiulo lauded Perry after the game as one of the team’s fiercest competitors, who always gives a hundred percent every time she’s steps on the court. 

“I try to set an example for my teammates," said Perry, a co-captain,  "I tryu to put in my best effort every time."

Bench players Costa, Gigi Mendes and Shelby Orr, gained valuable experience as they received an abundance of playing time in the second half. Costa, a freshman forward, drove to the basket and sank a layup in the fourth quarter.

“She comes to practice ready and works really hard,” said Perry. “Gigi is a junior who started playing with us this year. She always puts in a strong effort and she’s an awesome teammate. Shelby is a good rebounder. You can always count on her.” 

Senior guard Tess Sylvia is the Wildcats’ first person off the bench. Sylvia sank a 3-pointer, brought down 3 rebounds and made 4 steals during the game. 

“Her strength is definitely defense,” said Perry of Sylvia. “When we need to shut down an opponent, Tess is always our girl.”

Coach Gargiulo credits the team for their success so far this season.

“It’s the girls. That’s why we are having so much success,” Coach Gargiulo said. “They buy in, they work hard. The girls are improving their confidence and their rotation and it’s translating into wins. We need wins, because we have a tough stretch coming up.” 

The Wildcats play at Case on Monday at 6:30 p.m., host West Bridgewater on Wednesday at 5 p.m. and travel to Holbrook on Friday at 4 p.m.

“It will test us. Help us get ready for playoffs,” said Coach Gargiulo. “We want to continue to see improvement. Never be satisfied. They have bought into that. They continue to push themselves at practice and that has been translating onto the court.”

Boudria scores 25 as Wildcats outlast Cougars 79-63

While the girls team has had their share of blowout wins this season, the boys team has had to fight and claw their way though their schedule. 

Wednesday night was more of the same for the Wildcats who had their hands full with Bishop Connolly in a league game on Wednesday night. Owen Boudria scored 25 points and made 9 steals to lead the Wildcats over Bishop Connolly 79-63. The win improved the Wildcats record to 10-3. Seniors Max Morotti and Cam Leary each netted 17 points. The total was a personal high for Leary. Hunter Brodeur scored 13, Ben Boudria scored 4 and Coltrane McGonigle added 2. 

Westport led 23-10 after the first quarter, but the Cougars chipped away and cut the lead to 39-25 at halftime. 

Boudria stepped on the gas pedal and broke out for 16 points in the second half. The tall sinewy sophomore drained three 3-pointers and kept finding ways to get to the basket against the Cougars gauntlet of players in the paint. Morotti sank two 3-pointers and grabbed eight rebounds for the Wildcats and Leary scored 9 fourth quarter points to ice the game. 

The Westport boys also play a difficult, three game schedule this week, hosting Bishop Stang on Monday, traveling to West Bridgewater on Wednesday and hosting Holbrook on Friday. All games start at 6:30 p.m.