After an excellent 15-9 record last year, Girls Varsity Basketball entered this season with unfinished business. Following a first round loss to the #1 seed, Tabor Academy, the girls were disappointed with the early exit from the 2007 New England Tournament. However, the 07-08 season has been nothing short of remarkable for the squad. With a current record of 14-7 heading into the last game of the regular season, the girls are poised for a run deep in the New England’s. Lead by two-time captain Jill Mastroianni ’08, and Erin Grajewski ’08, as well as Head Coach James Davidson, the team has overcome many obstacles through the season. A concussion suffered by Grajewski and a number of soccer absences from Mastroianni, however, did not keep the team from improving its 2-4 start. “We had our dilemma with Erin and Jill, but it actually made us come together as one team,” said Coach Davidson. Since Winter Break, the team has recorded 11 wins and only 4 loses, launching the girls into the #6 rank in New England.
With the season coming to a close, the team is almost guaranteed a New England Tournament birth following its 31-point victory over Taft last Saturday. Also, the squad has a current five game winning streak, winning 9 of its last 11 games. However, the girls must finish the season on a high note. As of Tuesday, the team has two contests left on the schedule. On Wednesday, the girls played Kent, the current #3 seed in New England. Then, on Saturday, the girls will play their last game of the season, as they take on Williston Northampton.
Key Factors to Success
There have been several vital moments that helped propel the team to its current standing. The coaching of James Davidson and the many returners from last year’s team has added much experience to the squad. “This year, we have four kids who have played together for four years,” said Coach Davidson. “We are a slightly shorter team, but a much faster compared to last year.” These four players, Mastroianni, Grajewski, Claire Monagan ’08, and Katherine Luby ’08, each bring something different to the team. From Grajewski’s strong presence under the hoop to Luby’s precise shooting, the team has improved both its defense and offense. The only new addition to the team from last year is Ti-Ti Jimenez ’09, who has tremendously helped the squad’s scoring. Other returners, Tasi Kulubya ’08, Ashley McGeary ’08, Kasalina Kulubya ’09, Alex Oxborough-Yankus ’10, and Allie Zeoli ’10, have been key to the team’s success.
New England Tournament
As the playoffs approach, the team is still attempting to climb up the ladder in the New England Rankings. “With the way things are right now, nothing is guaranteed, as of this moment today we are ranked about sixth. The teams ahead of us are Tabor, Worcester, Kent, and Nobles,” added Coach Davidson. “Every team is struggling for its final ranking. No one wants to be in the bottom two spots because you’ll have to play the top two teams (Tabor and Worcester) and are guaranteed a away game.” Tabor is currently undefeated and Worcester’s only loss came against Tabor so far this year. The team looks to be locked into the tournament, but the hard part has yet to come. “I think we will be in, and we will have a good shot if we are fifth or sixth. It will be a tall order,” said Coach Davidson. When asked to describe his team in one sentence, Coach Jim Davidson said, “We’ve had more success than our talent because of the hardworking kids and athleticism we have.”
The New England Tournament will start on February 27, 2008, as the girls will look to end their season with a deep run in the playoffs.
Claire Monagan ’08 dribbles the ball up the court in a 48-41 win over Phillips Exeter. PHOTO/Ian Morris
