SPORTS: McCarron Carries Crusaders

Senior forward Rachel McCarron scored 26 points to lead Groton-Dunstable (2-3) past visiting Chelmsford, 50-43. For the Crusaders, it was their second consecutive win after starting the season with three losses.

Earlier in the week, GD stopped Oakmont 49-27 in the consolation game of the Pete Trainor Memorial Tournament with McCarron scoring 19 points with 14 rebounds. Sophomore guard Lindsey Werner had 11 points, 6 rebounds and 5 steals, forward Leanne Mueller added four points, 10 rebounds and three steals. Senior guard Riley Rogers scored 7 points and played well defensively in the Crusaders' first win of the season.

"We started 0-3 and it's nice to go to the break with back to back wins," said varsity girls basketball coach Mark Hennelly after the Chelmsford game.

Against the Lions, Rogers (10 pts.) got the team off to a good start, scoring quick six points to help give GD a 12-8 lead after the first quarter.

Crusaders maintained a slim three point lead at the half thanks to nine second quarter points from McCarron.

In the third stanza, McCarron outscored Chelmsford 10 to nine putting GD ahead 37-33 going into the fourth.

Celina Antonellis, Cate Cullin, Lindsay Werner (4 pts. 6 rebs. ), Leanne Mueller and McCarron all scored in the fourth quarter to help the Crusaders hold off Chelmsford. One for five from the foul line in the first half and seven for 19 overall made this contest closer than it ever should have been.

"Stats don't show what she (Riley Rogers) contributes night after night," said Hennelly. "Riley works so hard, her game has really improved and she is our leader out there. We also got a strong effort from freshman Melyssa Langell. She is intense on the floor."

The team travels to Nashoba Regional (3-1) on Friday, 1/4.