Bishop Fenwick defeats Medway in Div. 3 semifinal

Crusaders use dominant fourth quarter to advance to state championship game

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Bishop Fenwick, the top-seeded team in Div. 3, defeated No. 4 Medway 55-38 in the semifinal game on Tuesday night. The Crusaders used a 17-6 fourth quarter to pull away after a close first three quarters. Senior captain Celia Neilson led Bishop Fenwick with 22 points, 11 steals, and 9 rebounds, while fellow senior captain Caitlin Boyle added 15 points. Medway was led by seniors Regan Longval and Anna Freeman, who each scored 10 points. Bishop Fenwick will now play No. 2 Pittsfield in the Div. 3 state championship game this weekend.

Why it matters

This win marks Bishop Fenwick's first trip to the Div. 3 state final since 2023, as the Crusaders look to capture their first state championship in three years. The game also showcased the talent and leadership of Bishop Fenwick's senior captains, Celia Neilson and Caitlin Boyle, who have been playing together since middle school.

The details

Bishop Fenwick struggled offensively in the third quarter, shooting just 2-of-10 from the field. However, the Crusaders' defense kept them in the game, as they held a 38-32 lead heading into the fourth. In the final quarter, Bishop Fenwick's offense came alive, with Neilson scoring 12 of her game-high 22 points to help the team pull away. The Crusaders' read-and-react offense proved too much for Medway to handle down the stretch.

  • Bishop Fenwick took control in the first quarter with a 14-2 run to end the period with a 19-7 lead.
  • Medway responded in the second quarter, going on a 12-4 run to cut the deficit to 28-23 at halftime.
  • The game was close through the third quarter, with Bishop Fenwick holding a 38-32 lead heading into the fourth.

The players

Celia Neilson

A senior captain for Bishop Fenwick, Neilson led the team with 22 points, 11 steals, and 9 rebounds, including 12 points in the fourth quarter to help the Crusaders pull away.

Caitlin Boyle

A senior captain for Bishop Fenwick, Boyle scored 15 points, including 7 in the first quarter to help the Crusaders build an early lead.

Regan Longval

A senior captain for Medway, Longval scored 10 points in the losing effort.

Anna Freeman

A senior captain for Medway, Freeman also scored 10 points for the Mustangs.

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What they’re saying

“It feels great. It's kind of a full circle moment. ... Just being able to be back here is pretty cool.”

— Celia Neilson, Senior captain (bostonherald.com)

“We go against a zone defense and we talk about too many things. We were actually playing our best when we were running just our read and react offense. (In the fourth,) we just let the girls play.”

— Adam DeBaggis, Crusaders coach (bostonherald.com)

“She's just deciding that we're not losing and you need players like that if you want to win a state championship.”

— Adam DeBaggis, Crusaders coach (bostonherald.com)

“I've played with her since sixth grade, so we have a lot of trust in each other. I know where she's going to be and she knows where I'll be, too.”

— Celia Neilson, Senior captain (bostonherald.com)

What’s next

Bishop Fenwick will play No. 2 Pittsfield in the Div. 3 state championship game this weekend at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell.

The takeaway

This game showcased the talent and leadership of Bishop Fenwick's senior captains, Celia Neilson and Caitlin Boyle, who have been playing together since middle school. The Crusaders' ability to adjust their offense and pull away in the fourth quarter demonstrates their championship pedigree as they look to capture their first state title since 2023.