Swinging Dorrs: Maura Scores her 1,000th Point with an Assist from her Sister

Who wrote this incredible script? Aaron Sorkin?

For what better way is there to enter the Winthrop High School basketball 1,000-point club than with an assist from your identical twin sister.

Senior captain Maura Dorr scored her 1,000^th career point at the end of a splendid “give-and-go” exchange with Jenna Dorr in the Vikings’ 66-21 victory over Gloucester Tuesday night at the Chris Tsiotos Court in Winthrop.

With her parents, Jerry and Jill Dorr, and her brother, Syracuse freshman Kevin Dorr, seated among the small audience of spectators and Principal Matt Crombie also in attendance, Maura banked in a lay-up with 3:22 left in the second quarter. The 5-foot-10-inch forward finished her memorable night with 19 points and eight rebounds.

Maura Dorr joins the elite company of four  Winthrop High all-time basketball greats and 1,000-point scorers: Maureen McManus, Elizabeth Doherty, Lori Thomas, and Courtney Finn.

Dorr exhibited exactly why Coach Joe Lowe has his team rolling along with a 6-1 record. Knowing she needed 12 points, Dorr stayed within her excellent, two-way game and didn’t force any shots. Lowe’s Vikings play unselfish team basketball and pass the ball exceptionally well around the perimeter.

The Gloucester coach paid Dorr a compliment by engaging a box-and-one defense to try and contain her. But Dorr neatly sandwiched five baskets around two free throws to get to the magic number of 1,000.

Following the game, Dorr received gifts and took photos with her teammates and family amidst the 1,000-point Viking gold decorations.

Was the Dorr-to-Dorr moment a pre-designed play?

“No, it just happened to be that she assisted me on my 1,000^th point, which I was very happy about,” said Maura. “It feels really good and I’ve been looking forward to this and I’m grateful to have this season, even though it was uncertain with COVID-19.”

Dorr said the team has really developed well this season.

“This group of girls is really good. We all work hard and we’re super close. I think this year our team is really strong and we could have made it really far if there were playoffs. I think we can compete with any team,” she said.

Asked about sharing the stage with her “younger” sister Jenna (“I’m older by two minutes,” smiled Maura), the newly minted 1,000-point scorer said, “Jenna’s great. I’m so happy she was on the court with me.”

Winthrop Coach Joe Lowe has been Maura’s coach for her junior and senior seasons.

“I’m just super proud of her,” said Lowe. “When Maura came into the program, she set the tone with some of the other seniors with how they work together, especially Maura – weight room, off-season basketball, AAU basketball, and open gym. To me, it’s no surprise that she has this honor based on the time she has put into her basketball game.”

In a recurring theme, Lowe noted the rare occurrence of two sisters collaborating for the milestone point.

“It’s so awesome, it’s actually cool that her sister got the assist on the 1,000^th point,” said Lowe. “It was pretty special to see that happen.”

Matt Crombie watched the game while standing beneath the blue and gold banners where Maura’s achievement will forever be displayed in the gymnasium.

“Words cannot describe how proud I am of Maura for this accomplishment,” said Crombie. “Getting 1,000 points obviously puts her in the upper echelon of the girls basketball players in our school’s history. And the icing on cake was Maura getting the ball on an assist from her sister Jenna, who’s also our senior class president. I’m so proud of Maura and all that she’s accomplished. She’s the ideal student-athlete at Winthrop High School.”

Grace Galuris and Caroline Earl, two of the seniors who have accompanied Maura on this successful basketball journey since fourth grade, also congratulated their longtime teammate.

“It’s awesome, she’s practically our family – we’ve been playing basketball with her for so many years,” said Galuris. “I’m so happy that she was able to do it and I’m really happy that all the seniors were on the court for her to be able to get the 1,000^th point.”

Said Earl, “It’s awesome. We’re all so proud of her. It was really great to see her sister Jenna get her the assist for the 1,000^th point. That was awesome to see.”

NOTEBOOK

Maura Dorr led all scorers in the game with 19 points. Sophomore guard Maddie Stiglets was impressive in the backcourt with 14 points. Caroline Earl, who showed a noteworthy jump-step move, scored eight points. Samantha Galuris netted seven points. Other scorers for Winthrop were Grace Galuris (6), Jenna Dorr (4), Julia Marcoccio (4), Polina Bell (2) and Emma Forsyth.

The WHS girls basketball program will have its Senior Night ceremony on Feb. 9.