'She's entirely relentless': Dighton's Mullen eying a state title with Bishop Feehan
ATTLEBORO— All season long, the Bishop Feehan girls basketball team has captured headlines for their high-powered offense, one which has put up 50 or more points in all but two games this winter.
But at the same time, it's the Shamrocks' strong defensive efforts that helped secure the coveted No. 1 seed in the MIAA Division 1 tournament. Thanks to some quick reactions, well-timed steals and strong pressure, Feehan has allowed an average of just under 43 points per game while facing some of the toughest teams in the state.
A Dighton resident has played a large part in that.
Sophomore Mollie Mullen has firmly established herself as a starting guard for the Shamrocks this winter, helping lead the way defensively from the backcourt through her drive and determination.
"(She has) so much energy and she’s entirely relentless," Feehan coach Amy Dolores said. "She can guard the length of the floor and she’d probably prefer to play basketball all day long rather than eating or sleeping, so that kind of energy just being constantly present with that great enthusiasm and zeal for the game is just a huge value add to our program."
For Mullen, that energy can be felt all around the Shamrocks program.
"It’s amazing," Mullen said. "Our practices are always filled with so much energy and really high-paced with a lot of fast breaks."
In particular, she says that pace has only picked up since the start of the tournament, something which she feels helps drive Feehan.
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"I think that’s why we beat teams by so much because we’re in better shape and just run the floor," Mullen said.
The Dighton Middle School alum's efforts were on full display during the Shamrocks' 68-34 win over No. 17 Taunton on Tuesday. While she didn't end up on the score sheet, she made a series of key steals while largely guarding senior captain Cali Melo as the Tigers were held to their lowest point total of the season.
"She anticipates really well," Dolores said. "She has great quickness and good hands and put that all together (against Taunton)."
Mullen, who plays AAU basketball for the Bay State Jaguars, also can contribute offensively, as she showed when she scored 15 points, as well as three steals and three assists, against fellow Division 1 Elite Eight qualifiers Woburn in January.
"That's been pretty much my whole game: steals and fast break layups," Mullen said with a laugh.
As for Feehan itself and being a part of the Shamrocks program, Mullen said it means everything to her.
"It’s great," Mullen said. "I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else."
Feehan has its next step in pursuit of a state championship Friday as they play host to No. 8 Lexington in the Elite Eight. With memories of last year's championship loss to Andover still fresh in their minds, Mullen and her teammates feel all the more determined to get the job done this time around.
"We’re ready and I think we can make it all the way to the (championship game) like we did last year and hopefully this yet we’ll get the dub," Mullen said.
Taunton Daily Gazette sports reporter Cameron Merritt can be reached at cmerritt@tauntongazette.com. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @CamMerritt_News. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to the Taunton Daily Gazette today.
This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Dighton's Mollie Mullen has been a key part of Bishop Feehan's defense
