The girls’ JV basketball team added another W to their record on Wednesday against a tenacious Suffield squad. Highlights in the 39-26 contest included 24 points from Vera Menafee ’20 and a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Molly “Swisher” Fisher ’20.
Menafee won the jump ball then scored off a rebound from a shot by Samara Cummings ’20, and shortly thereafter put away a truly improbable hook shot. Fearless point guard Jada Howard ’19 followed with four points in a row, bringing fan Dr. Ivory Hills to his feet. Off a steal by Menafee, Cummings got her turn to score, and then Menafee scored again. Together, the starters brought Deerfield to twelve points before Suffield touched the scoreboard, somehow sinking a three-pointer and then following up with another basket. Valerie Ma ’17 scored off a great look from Howard, and then Suffield got a point from the free-throw line. Menafee contributed another basket off a smart pass from Cummings, and then scored her ninth and tenth points of the game with an incredible behind-the-back shot. Suffield responded with another basket, and then Fisher hit a three-pointer as the buzzer signaled the end of the first half. Deerfield ended the half in the lead, 21-13.
However, the Big Green didn’t rest easy, aware that a few baskets from Suffield could easily even out the game. Though the orange invaders clearly wanted the win, pressing Deerfield throughout the game, the team held on, played smart, and kept running and gunning to secure the win. Howard stole the ball and put away a clean layup, Menafee hit a nice free throw, Fisher nailed her usual baseline jumper, and then Menafee got another bucket, bringing the score to 28-13 before Suffield answered with an eight point run of their own. The game was too close for comfort and it looked as though momentum might have shifted to Suffield, but Menafee gritted her teeth, went up strong for the rebound, and helped out with another nine points in a row. Notable defensive power came from Hanna Deringer ’20 and Nicole Da Costa ’19, and seniors Rachel Shuman, Annie Roberts, and Tarah Almonacy all worked hard to help Deerfield win the day.
The Big Green hope to shoot the lights out against Loomis on Saturday at 5 p.m. for what should be a raucous late-season matchup. See you there!
Reporting contributed by manager, Molly Persons ’19.