A play they know by heart

By Emily Werchadlo, Globe Correspondent  |  March 19, 2006

WORCESTER -- If only Springfield Central had known the last basket made by Braintree -- the one that iced its 59-56 win for the Division 1 girls' championship -- was so simple, so old, the girls had been running it since the fourth grade.

''It's the famous Braintree play!" senior guard Brittney Chappron exclaimed, referring to the move that she, and fellow seniors Merry MacDonald, Stephanie Geehan and Maegan Cook have been running for almost 10 years. In this instance, a double screen gave Chappron the open layup on a pass from MacDonald.

The famous play got its start in Braintree Youth Basketball, made its way through AAU and then back to the Braintree travel league, finally landing on the Wamps' court at Braintree High. Through all those games, the four girls, who all start, made their play on the court tight, and their friendship off the court tight as well.

''Since the fourth grade we've been talking about winning the state championship," said Geehan, who had a team-high 21 points and 10 rebounds.

This final win in their senior year was a milestone in another area as well -- it was the Wamps' first girls' basketball championship.

''We know where each other is going to be," said MacDonald.

It's an advantage Wamps coach Nicholas Krot has enjoyed since the girls joined his team as freshmen.

''[Braintree Youth Basketball] is where they got their love for the game. They know each other. I don't know how many games they've played together over the years," he said.

Now, for the first time, the girls will head in separate directions. Geehan is off to Fairfield, Cook (6 points, 5 rebounds) will return to Worcester to attend Assumption. Chappron (14 points, six rebounds) is undecided.

''It's sad, but at least we ended it going as far as we could, winning a state championship together," said MacDonald, who finished with 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 steals.

This win is especially significant for MacDonald, who played the last basketball game of her career and will head off to Wheaton in the fall to play softball and volleyball. She has no worries about maintaining the relationship with the rest of the group.

''We'll stay in touch, I guarantee it," she said. ''These guys are my best friends."

© Copyright 2006 Globe Newspaper Company.