Mariners Win Girls’ Division II Basketball Title [VIDEO]

KINGSTON – Repeating the pattern from their first three playoff games, the Narragansett Mariners used a dominant second half to salt away a 51-40 win against Classical in the Division II girls’ basketball final at the Ryan Center.

Abby McKanna shook off a shaky first half, where she had twice as many shots as points, to finish with 18 points and a steal. Chelsea Sahagian finished with nine points and five steals.

Mercedes Harris finished with 10 points, two blocks and one steal, and was named the most valuable player of the tournament. Also named to the tournament team were Sahagian and McKanna, and McKanna was awarded the trophy for the player of the game.

In the final, Narragansett went with a tighter rotation, as McKanna, Sahagian and Iannucci played almost the entire game. Mercedes Harris ran into foul trouble in the second half, but Peach Griffith and Raquel Harris filled in off the bench. The game was 16-16 at the half.

Maggie Salomone also got into her first game of the season after warming up with the team – Head coach Kathryn Mahoney said she told Salomone she would try to get her in if the game situation warranted, and snuck her in with about 20 seconds remaining.

It is the third title for Iannucci, Mahoney, Salomone and assistant coach Jennifer Sayles, as all were coaches or players on the winning Division III girls’ soccer squads. It is the second title for Sahagian, and the first for the remaining members of the team.

NARRAGANSETT STATS: Sahagian, 9 points, 5 steals; Iannucci, 6 points; McKanna, 18 points, 1 steal; Mistowki, 4 points; Mercedes Harris, 10 points, 2 blocks, 1 steal; Raquel Harris, 2 points, 1 steal; Peach Griffith, 2 points, 2 steals. Also playing: Maggie Salomone, Hannah Maymon, Hannah Collier and Ali Castrovillari.

We will have another story Monday night, which will include the historical perspective and quotes from Iannucci, Mahoney and Mistowski. Click the “keep me posted!” button below to receive an e-mail notification!