BRAINTREE, Mass. — After losing four key rotation players from last year's MIAA Division 1 finalist team, Bishop Feehan's first task this winter is establishing its new team identity as it pursues another state championship.
On Tuesday at Archbishop Williams, we got our first glimpse: swarming defense and relentless pace.
The No. 4 Shamrocks caused at least 30 turnovers (and likely more) in a back-and-forth Catholic Central League matchup, using a game-ending 10-2 run to pull away and defeat the Bishops, 61-50. They pressed, trapped and forced difficult passes for 32 minutes, keeping a bigger Archbishop Williams team from ever generating consistent offensive flow.
"We're trying to work to our strengths," Bishop Feehan coach Amy Dolores said. "We have a new identity from the teams we've had in the past, and I think we have hopefully found our strength. They did a good job really buying into the defense that gave us our offense."
Bishop Feehan improved to 2-0 on the young season while Archbishop Williams dropped its season opener. Here are five standouts from the contest.
Addie Frenette, Bishop Feehan
Class of 2027, 5-9 guard/forward
Hometown: Mansfield, Mass.
If you're wondering what the next era for Bishop Feehan looks like, get to know Frenette. With the Bishops focused on Mullen, Frenette logged a career-hight 22 points to go with eight steals and six rebounds, showing a clear step up in ability and confidence from a year ago.
"I think it was just really important that we all knew our roles coming in, and that we have to fill a lot of spots," Frenette said. "Me and Mollie (Mullen), Shannon (LaMorticelli), and Emmette (Barry) and Bridget (Rowland) all play a really important role in making sure everyone is playing their roles and filling in what we lost."
Frenette was everywhere at the top of the Shamrocks' press in the first half, racking up deflections and steals. Then in the second half, she showed decisiveness attacking open driving lanes and even flipped up a difficult layup through two taller Archbishop Williams defenders. Frenette also scored on a nice 45 cut and made two 3s off the catch.
"I think so much of what she's shown is real personal growth and confidence," Dolores said. "A lot of what she did here, she's had bits of it being heard. So to kind of put it all together — the confidence to know when to attack and when it's her turn, instead of deferring to the older kids — it's really cool to see."
Shannon LaMorticelli, Bishop Feehan
Class of 2027, 5-10 guard/forward
Hometown: Norwood, Mass.
LaMorticelli led the Shamrocks' effort on the glass against an opponent that was taller almost across the board. She tallied eight points, nine rebounds and five steals, with some of her defensive highlights including a closeout block on a corner 3-point attempt and a steal helping knock away a post entry pass. She's also clearly comfortable with baseline jumpers and corner shot attempts.
Mollie Mullen, Bishop Feehan
Class of 2026, 5-9 guard
Hometown: Dighton, Mass.
NCAA: StonehillÂ
This was my first watch of Mullen as the centerpiece of the Shamrocks, and I thought she handled the leadership burden and opposing attention well. She finished with 14 points and didn't force bad shots, but still flashed a pull-up 3, a quick fire off the catch, and a pull-up 2 around a screen, in addition to a few transition buckets. I thought she got teammates involved during half-court sets and never overdribbled.
But Mullen really shined on the defensive end — Bishop Feehan credited her with 12 steals. Her active hands, effort and quickness stood out the entire contest. There was one play where she flew by on a closeout to a 3-point shooter, and then when the player drove and kick, Mullen somehow recovered back quick enough to intercept the pass. She dominated at the point of attack particularly during the third quarter and still managed to mix in a rotation block in the paint that forced a jump ball.
"Mollie's always ready," Frenette said. "Again, her defense is always on, which helps with her offense. So I mean, it's just Mollie being Mollie."
Alana McNamara, Archbishop Williams
Class of 2028, 5-11 forward
Hometown: Quincy, Mass.
This was my first full-game watch of McNamara and I came away extremely impressed by her processing speed for her age. She's a great passing big who can read defenses quickly and make kick-out passes to the perimeter from the paint. She did a solid job of asserting post position and using strength to carve out shots around the basket. I also noted McNamara making multiple rotation blocks on defense. She was disciplined with straight-up contests that altered drives, and she even forced a couple turnovers guarding on the perimeter. McNamara has a lot of foundational skills and versatility, which makes me excited for how she could develop.
Jenna Mishou, Archbishop Williams
Class of 2026, 6-2 forward
Hometown: Hanson, Mass.
NCAA: MerrimackÂ
With 18 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks, Mishou showed off her unique length and mobility for this level of high school basketball. She registered two massive swats, one a chasedown block in transition and another rotating onto a driving player. When Mishou asserted herself in the paint, she was tough for Bishop Feehan to stop. She had takeover rebounding stretches and a couple of difficult putback finishes through contact. Mishou is also a confident corner 3-point shooter and cashed in on some looks.
