By Mike Rubin

After a slow start to the season under new coach Shannon Clark, the Somerville High girls basketball team appears to be turning the corner.

Despite a valiant effort, the Highlanders suffered a tough 55-50 defeat at the hands of Fontbonne Academy in Wednesday’s Highlander Holiday tournament championship at the Brune Field House. Currently, the Highlanders stand at 1-4 overall.

In Tuesday’s first round action, the Highlanders pulled off their first win of the season en route to a dominating 51-33 victory over O’Bryant.

“The girls are starting to come around, and we’re starting to finally become a presence in the post,” said Clark. “We have a very young team with an experienced backcourt, and it’s been taking us a while for us to gel together, but I believe we’re starting to head in the right direction.”

In a Dec. 28 win over O’Bryant, the Highlanders were guided by senior captain Kelsey Garrity and sophomore sensation Indira Evora, who scored 20 points apiece in the win. Also contributing was Ashley Auciello, who recorded six points while Lindsay Rimpel hauled in six rebounds from the post.

“We came out and established the tempo of the game in the O’Bryant game,” said Clark. “We got out to a nice lead in the first quarter and we played solid defense throughout the first half. In the second half, the girls were focused and we were able to use a steady rotation off the bench.”

Also contributing was Mary O’Brien, Ella Tyler and Melissa Baptista for the Highlanders.

In Wednesday’s championship contest against Fontbonne Academy, the Highlanders delivered a solid full-court press, but still fell short in a tough 55-50 defeat. Leading the way in the losing effort was Garrity, who recorded a game high 20 points while Evora added 18. Both Evora and Garrity were named to the all tournament team while Jen Gemma was named as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player for the Ducks.

Gemma recorded 14 points and hauled in 15 rebounds while Georgia Bourikas added 15 points in the win.

“They beat us to the ball in the post,’ said Clark. “We got out rebounded down low, and that’s something we’re going to have to work with. The kids are playing hard, and they’re giving it a great effort. They gave it everything they had.”

Despite an up-tempo game, the Ducks broke out to a 13-7 run to open the first quarter. Battling back, the Highlanders executed a 10-4 run to open the second quarter and managed to tie the contest at 17-17.

Led by the backcourt combination of Evora and Garrity, the Highlanders stayed well within striking distance, and trailed just 26-24 in the second half.  In the second half, both teams continued to trade baskets before Ducks managed to pull away in the fourth quarter, nailing eight of 10 shots from the free throw line.

With 3:32 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Highlanders trailed 49-46 before and held the Ducks scoreless for over 2:00. A jumper by Baptista cut the lead within 49-48 before the Ducks secured the win, nailing their final six free throws en route to the win.

The Highlanders will continue their tough non-league schedule in Wednesday’s match-up against Norte Dame of Hingham.