Laconia shuts down Springs, takes early conference lead

Laconia wanted to take away St. Mary's Springs senior Gracie Konkol.

The Spartans did exactly that.

Laconia held Konkol scoreless during its 63-23 Flyway win at Hutter Gymnasium on Friday night.

"Tonight, we took the approach of we were trying to take away Gracie Konkol and Aubrey and Molly did an awesome job with that," coach Chris Morgan said.

Laconia (5-1 overall, 3-0 in Flyway) also kept Grace Coon, the Ledgers' second leading scorer this season, off the board with high-intensity defense.

"The last two games, we've been much improved defensively, more focused, not gambling as much, just being really solid with everything we do there," Morgan said. "We're trying to be good on the ball but also making sure we're in help-side off the ball."

Springs (5-2, 2-1) played a 2-3 zone much of the night, which Laconia exploited more as the game wore on, especially with their 3-point shooting.

The Spartans hit 12 3s in the game. Finley Morgan made five of them, accounting for all 15 of her points. She said that ball movement allowed the team to get open looks from deep.

"We've been working so hard in practice, moving the ball, always making the extra pass," Finley said. "Against a 2-3 zone, what they were running, it makes it so much easier to pick it apart when you're always making that extra pass and finding the open person."

Tierney Madigan led all scorers with 20.

She did most of her damage in the paint and in transition, as she usually does, but she also hit three 3s in the game and was perfect from the free-throw line.

"She really works around the rim," coach Morgan said. "So, she's going to get points on the offensive rebounds and she's athletic around the rim inside.

"She doesn't live or die by the 3 so I think that helps her just be a little bit more consistent. She shot the ball pretty well tonight from the outside as well."

Jasline Loynes had a team-high 11 points for Springs.

PHOTO GALLERY: Laconia at Springs girls basketball - 12/13/2024