Capello keeps Bishops on move

When Casey Capello made the decision to transfer from Notre Dame of Hingham to Archbishop Williams for her junior year, an influential factor was having the opportunity to play for a state championship.

It's safe to say she made the right decision. Capello scored 20 points yesterday, leading the Bishops to a 45-31 win over Pentucket at TD Banknorth Garden and sending Archbishop Williams to Saturday's Division 3 state championship game in Worcester.

"It's a good trade-off," Capello said of her decision to transfer. "We're on a roll right now."

Capello's contribution was all the more necessary due to a stomach bug that kept junior point guard Christine Duffy, whose 21 points led the Bishops (20-7) in their South final win over Fairhaven, up most of the night.

"She was throwing up all night long," coach Jim Bancroft said of his floor leader. "Before the game we weren't even sure if she was going to play, so whatever we got out of her was good."

Duffy assumed her usual ball-handling responsibilities, but was slowed down considerably, finishing with 5 points and three assists. Her offense wasn't needed, though, as Capello more than handled the scoring load.

"We always pick up the slack for each other," Capello said.

The game's biggest story line, however, was the matchup of talented young centers. Pentucket sophomore Kirsten Daamen had dominated opposing centers in the Cape Ann League, and was the Sachems' unquestioned go-to player throughout the tournament. But Daamen hadn't faced a player as tall as the Bishops' 6-foot-3-inch freshman Valerie Driscoll. Both players canceled each other out on the stat sheet, but that was more damaging to Pentucket (23-2), which had no secondary scoring option.

"Val did it today, she's been shut off for a couple games in a row," Bancroft said. "This game you saw what she could do."

Driscoll, who was in foul trouble most of the game against Fairhaven, finished with 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Daamen ended with 10 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

Archbishop Williams never trailed and pushed a 6-point halftime lead to double digits (33-23) with just more than 10 minutes left off a layup by Driscoll. Pentucket got no closer than 9, as poor free throw shooting prevented the Sachems from making any kind of headway. They shot 4 of 17 from the line in the second half.

With a starting lineup that includes three freshmen and one sophomore, the magnitude of playing at the Garden might have played on Pentucket's nerves. Coach John McNamara tried to lighten the mood before the game, but wasn't sure of his success.

"I told some bad jokes, but that didn't help," McNamara said. "I think everybody kind of hesitated before they shot the ball today. Once you hesitate you're never going to make a shot. I mean our defense wasn't great but it was more of not being able to put the ball inside the basket today."