Senior Night Romp for Hoops, Dance and Color Guard [VIDEO]

The Narragansett High School girls’ basketball team used a game opening 17-3 run to establish the tone for a drubbing of the West Warwick Wizards on Wednesday night.

The contest was Senior Night for the Mariners, although calling it a “contest” is being a bit polite. Even the final score, 57-30, is somewhat deceptive, given that Narragansett pulled starters throughout the second half and led by 34 at one point.

Narragansett (16-3, 14-1 Division II-South) never trailed, and after the opening minutes, the Wizards never got within 10 points. West Warwick (11-9, 7-8 Division II-South) did not string together consecutive baskets until a minute remaining in the first half.

Head coach Kathryn Mahoney said the atmosphere definitely seemed to help her team.

“We had a lot of momentum going for us, obviously,” she said. “Everybody wanted to win this one for the seniors.”

According to a box score from The Providence Journal, junior Mercedes Harris led the Mariners with 13 points. Nine different players scored, including all three seniors – guards Jackie Iannucci and Raquel Harris, and forward Hannah Collier.

Mahoney said she has stressed more of an inside-outside game to her team, after their lone loss in Division II play against Rogers. The Vikings let Narragansett take mostly perimeter shots.

“We have to utilize the post this year,” Mahoney said, adding that Mercedes Harris was such a weapon in that area.

Narragansett took the commanding first half lead thanks to defensive pressure. Freshman Abby McKanna picked off five passes at the head of the press, and the Harris sisters and freshman Chelsea Sahagian also had multiple steals.

“[McKanna] anticipates the play really well, and her height helps out,” Mahoney said. “Her limbs are so long.”

Reflecting on her team’s play, Collier said they have been rebounding a lot better lately.

As is customary given the way she plays – full throttle, like a bull in a china shop, at all times – Collier fouled out with 1:20 remaining in the game. She got a round of applause from the crowd and her teammates on the bench.

“I did karate for a long time, and I was the smallest there, so I had to be aggressive,” she said. “I think that carries over.”

She also noted that her favorite player is Tyler Zeller, the burly center on the North Carolina Tarheels. She said she tries to model her game after his.

Collier said she thought the team could win at least one playoff game this year.

“I think keeping up the spirit we have it going to be key,” she said. “It’s cool, we’ve never been in this position before [atop the division.”

The Mariners play 7 p.m. Friday at Cranston East (9-11, 8-7 Division II-South). Narragansett then hosts East Greenwich (10-9, 8-7 Division II-South) and travels to Mt. Hope (10-9, 9-7 Division II-South) next week to finish out the regular season.

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