Drummond and Beauregard Impress in Loss
The Mass & NH High School Basketball Report saw some quality girls basketball tonight between St. Thomas and Portsmouth. Not only was this a rivalry game involving two New Hampshire seacoast schools, but it was a battle between the two best girls teams in NH Class I. Over the first 3 quarters there was 7 lead changes, with neither team leading by more than 5 points. But in the fourth quarter St. Thomas took control, and cruised to a 56-44 victory.
Although Portsmouth lost the game, it was clear that the two best players on the floor were on their side.
Senior forward Rosa Drummond is a very versatile player. She's 6'2", and is a tough, strong inside player who can score and rebound in the paint. She also has the quickness and shooting ability to play on the perimeter. Drummond finished tonight's game with 1o points and 9 rebounds. She could have had even more points but she had some tough luck with a couple of threes and inside shots just barely rimming out.
Ali Beauregard (pictured above) also stood out for Portsmouth. The 5'7 junior guard also has a good inside-outside game. She can handle the ball and defend on the perimeter well, and she also has the strength to finish down low against bigger players. She scored a game-high 18 points to with with 4 steals. Beauregard is a tough player who gets after it on both ends of the floor and is very effective when driving to the basket.
The efforts of Drummond and Beauregard still weren't enough for the Clippers to get the "W". Portsmouth missed way too many easy shots in the paint. And although St. Thomas had over 20 turnovers, they played better team basketball down the stretch to get the win.
St. Thomas was led by senior guards Caleigh MacDonald and EC Chojnicki. MacDonald, a smooth player and sharpshooter led the team with 13 points. Chojnicki, a tough, hard nosed slasher netted 12.
Following the game, both teams now have identical 12-2 records and sit together atop the Class I girls basketball standings in NH.
