News - Bingham's last-second shot clinches victory for Walpole

In an electrifying match that kept spectators on the edge of their seats, Bella Bingham emerged as the hero with a timely shot that propelled the Walpole girls' basketball team to a narrow 44-42 win over Braintree. Although she was held to just 4 points in the first half, Bingham's decisive play came with only 20 seconds left on the clock. Receiving a perfectly timed bounce pass from teammate Abby McMann, she maneuvered past defenders to land a game-winning floater that sailed through the net, sealing the game at 12 seconds remaining. Walpole, now holding a 10-3 record, was led by Bingham with 13 points and three assists. Tori Adams, another key player, contributed 11 points to the victory. Despite a formidable effort by Braintree, who led after the first quarter and displayed excellent ball movement throughout, they couldn't thwart Bingham's decisive shot. Braintree's efforts were spearheaded by Kate Sweeney, who notched 12 points and three assists, and Francesca Mazzini, whose commanding presence resulted in 12 points and three rebounds. Mazzini’s superior ball distribution made things challenging for the Timberwolves, yet they managed to contain the threat. In a strategic move, Walpole coach Sean McInnis implemented a 1-3-1 zone defense during Braintree's final possessions, limiting their options and forcing them into difficult shots, including a missed three-pointer at the buzzer, dashing Braintree’s hopes of thwarting Walpole's sweep of their season series. McInnis praised his team's awareness and precision in executing their game plan, emphasizing Bingham's pivotal role in their victory. "Understanding their key plays and capitalizing on defensive gaps was crucial," McInnis stated post-game. "And when it mattered most, our team delivered.”