SHARON, Mass – Ashley Snyder missed all but four games of her junior season due to injury, but she has returned stronger than ever and, with the senior captain firing on all cylinders, Foxboro has already matched its win total from a season ago.
On Friday night at Sharon, Snyder scored 28 points and pulled down 12 rebounds to help the Warriors comeback for an impressive 68-61 road victory over the previously unbeaten Eagles.
Foxboro head coach Lisa Downs could only marvel at the play of her star forward.
“She’s unbelievable,” said Downs. “She is just the backbone of the team. She’s unselfish. She doesn’t care if she is the one scoring and rebounding-wise she is our bread and butter in there. She’s a phenomenal player.”
Snyder admits that she is enjoying the opportunity to be the star this season and scoring more than she ever has in the past.
“I’m establishing my place,” she added. “I’ve never had these games where I’m getting 20 points. It’s completely a team effort, but it’s great. It’s an unbelievable way to end…this is going to be my last sport I play in high school.”
The first half was sloppy for both teams. Foxboro (4-1) and Sharon (3-1) combined for 38 turnovers, but the Eagles aggressiveness going to the basket turned into 22 free throw attempts (they made 17) and they went into the break leading 33-27.
In the second half, Foxboro increased the defensive pressure and consistently forced Sharon to settle for one-on-one situations or long jumpers. The Warriors took advantage of turnovers and rebounding to score 23 points in the third and senior Danielle Roma gave Foxboro its first lead of the game at 48-46.
Sharon head coach Kate Horsmann credited the Foxboro defense for unsettling her team and turning the tide in the second half.
“The defensive pressure from both teams really turned the game ugly and they were better at forcing us to do things that we didn’t want to do,” she said.
“They came out in the second half and definitely had a different demeanor on the court,” explained Downs. “Their intensity picked up, the tempo picked up and the defense helped create offensive opportunities.”
The teams went into the final quarter tied at 50. In the fourth, Snyder dueled with Sharon star Karlie O’Driscoll, who finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds despite sitting the entire second quarter. Snyder scored 10 points and had 6 rebounds in the quarter, while O’Driscoll had 9 and 2.
Snyder received more offensive help and that made the difference. Following a Snyder basket, sophomore Katherine Tamulionis (17 points) buried her third three of the night to give Foxboro a 59-57 lead. The Warriors went on an 8-0 run and never looked back.
Downs was thrilled by the play of her speedy guard down the stretch.
“On her drives to the basket, she has the quickest crossover dribble that I’ve ever seen,” said Downs. “For her to convert on those three’s and to have that confidence as a sophomore, I’m pretty happy because I get her for two more years.”
Sharon’s supporting cast was strong until the fourth quarter. Junior Andrea Bender and senior captain Katie Lowerre each scored 9 points (Lowerre added 7 rebounds) and point guard Lily Abarbanel tacked on 7. Freshman Alyssa Piazza came off the bench and nearly came up with a double-double, finishing with 10 points and 9 rebounds.
“You have to give them credit because they pushed us out of our comfort zone,” reflected Horsmann. “I thought we could have played better but I give them all the credit in the world. They just made it uncomfortable for us.
In addition to the great games from Snyder and Tamulionis, sophomore Kiersten Warner gave Foxboro a double-double (10 points and 10 boards) off the bench.
Neither team will play again until 2013. Foxboro will travel to Taunton and Sharon is on the road at North Attleboro.