The 2018-19 season saw five area high school girls basketball teams find their way into the postseason. More are looking to join the mix this season, as the 2019-20 campaign officially kicked off Thursday night.
Greenfield made it to the Western Mass. Div. 3 finals a season ago, where it fell to Hoosac Valley in the title game. The Green Wave suffered two major losses, however. Gone is the school’s all-time leading scorer, Raegan Hickey, who graduated and is now doing a postgraduate year at Deerfield Academy. Hickey’s longtime running partner, center Samantha Smith, also departed the Greenfield program to graduation, and is playing at Babson College. The departures of the duo leaves behind a combined 34 points per game from last year’s team.
Hickey and Smith, along with Katie Haselton, formed a near unstoppable trio for Greenfield, and Haselton is now the lone remaining piece from that triumvirate. The junior, who averaged 14.8 points per game last year, looks to step up as the go-to scorer for the Wave in their absence.
Micalyn Mailloux looks to lead Mahar back to the postseason this winter, as the Senators have made the Div. 3 field every year since being realigned from Division 2 in 2014. Frontier will once again be a formidable threat in the Franklin County League North Division behind junior Amelia Sobieski, and Athol returns early its entire roster with eyes set on making it to the Big Dance.
The Wave, Senators, Red Hawks and Red Raiders are joined in the FCL North by a Hopkins Academy squad that won the WMass Div. 4 title a year ago.
Franklin Tech and Pioneer both found their way into the Div. 4 postseason last year, as each squad returns key cogs looking to make return trips. Mohawk Trail and Turners Falls are hoping to add more marks in the win column this season.
Franklin Tech is the lone local team that competes in a Tri-County League North Division that had three other tournament-bound teams a season ago. The Panthers and Thunder battle with tough Ware and Southwick squads in the FCL South.
The Warriors will compete in the FCL West along with McCann Tech, Smith Academy and Pope Francis — all teams that punched tickets into the postseason last year.
Here’s a closer look:
COACH: Kelly Kaczmarczyk, 3rd season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: FCL North/4
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 4-16
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: (2016) Lost to Mount Greylock in Div. 3 first round
ROSTER: Seniors — Taylor Cleveland, Geca Baptista, Haley Bigwood, Sophie Putnam, Jenna St. Cyr, Aryah Lee; Juniors — Lily King, Rozlyn Nelson; Sophomores — Reily Polana, Kendall Deleo; Freshmen — Emma Bacigalupo.
OUTLOOK: The Red Raiders didn’t graduate anyone from last year’s team, and they hope to continue building with now six seniors on the roster.
Senior Haley Bigwood was the team’s leading scorer from a year ago (13.9 ppg) while classmate Taylor Cleveland figures to also be a factor on the offensive end.
“My expectation, a lot of people say wins or losses but I’d like to get a couple more wins under our belt,” Kaczmarczyk said. “I’m trying to build these girls up and build up the program and I want these girls to be good student-athletes. I expect big things from Haley and Taylor.”
A young player to watch for is Emma Bacigalupo. The freshman spent last season on JV, but figures to step into a bigger role on varsity this season.
“I’m excited to see what I can get Emma Bacigalupo,” Kaczmarczyk said. “She did really well on JV. She’s an all-around great athlete.”
As always, the goal is making the postseason, with Kaczmarczyk knowing her team has the talent to push for one of the tournament spots.
“If they play as a team, they can be successful,” she said.
COACH: Joe Gamache, 1st season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Tri-County North/4
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 11-10
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: (2019) Lost to Ware in Div. 4 first round
ROSTER: Seniors — Jordan Hurlbert, Jocelyn Crowningshield, Isabelle Duga; Juniors — Gemanaia Cruz, Gabby Castagna, Desiree Doane; Sophomores — Hailey Jobst, Emily Eastman, Emily Merritt, Jenesis Currier, Emily Ryan; Freshman — Jillian Crowningshield.
OUTLOOK: After serving many years as the Eagles wrestling coach, Franklin Tech athletic director Joe Gamache is moving from the mats to the hardwood this winter.
Like many other Franklin County teams, the Eagles return quite a few players from a squad that made it to the tournament a year ago.
Franklin Tech is looking to build off last season’s success, and that starts with senior Jocelyn Crowningshield, who led the Eagles in scoring last year with 11 points per game.
“We set our goals extremely high,” Gamache said. “We have primary goals and a lot of small things we need to accomplish, but we want to make it to the tournament again and try to be on of the premier teams in our league.”
Jordan Hurlbert also returns, averaging just under 11 points per game a season ago. Isabelle Duga and Desiree Doane also figure to increase their scoring production this year.
“We’ll probably continue to try to shake things out as we go,” Gamache said. “Quite a few returning players from a year ago. Nice to inherit a team that has experience and talent like we do.”
COACH:Dave Machon, 1st season
LEAGUE/DIVISION:FCL North/3
LAST YEAR’S RECORD:10-11
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE:(2019) Lost to Sabis in Div. 3 first round
ROSTER: Seniors — Marie Diemand, Tori Speth; Juniors — Amelia Sobieski, Sierra Warren, Becca Bridwell, Alena Maes-Polan, Meghan Self; Sophomores — Kaitlyn Mackin, Sydney Taylor; Freshmen — Kylie Laford, Cadi Wells-Robinson, Abi Howard.
OUTLOOK: Dave Machon takes over a talented roster that will compete for the Franklin County North title this season.
The Red Hawks are led by junior Amelia Sobieski, who averaged 13.8 points per game as a sophomore a year ago. Marie Diemand is another weapon who should see her scoring output increase this season.
One early loss for Frontier is senior Tori Speth, who hurt her shoulder in a scrimmage Wednesday night and will likely miss the first weekend of the season.
Though Machon has only had a handful of practices to get to know his team, he likes what he’s seen from sophomore Kaitlyn Mackin, who the new coach thinks has the potential to break out this year.
“Kaitlyn Mackin is a force defensively,” Machon said. “She’s one of my best defenders and could be one of best in the league. Her offense is coming around, too. She’ll be fun to coach all year.”
Machon has had his team compete against some of the tougher squads in Western Mass. in scrimmages early, trying to see how they respond to the tough competition.
“We got to scrimmage South Hadley, went down to Amherst and scrimmaged them and Westfield,” Machon said. “We did alright, we have stuff to work on. We did some really good things. I saw what I wanted to accomplish. Pretty happy getting to know my personnel a little bit.”
The goal is always to reach the postseason at Frontier. The potential to reach the Cage is also something Machon hopes to accomplish with the Red Hawks.
“I have that Western Mass. tournament in my blood,” Machon said. “I’d hate to see it go. I played for it when I was in high school, my older sister played for it. I went to Frontier and my son played for it last year and I hope to be playing in it this year.”
COACH: John Hickey, 9th season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: FCL North/3
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 19-4
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: (2019) Lost to Hoosac in Div. 3 finals
ROSTER: Seniors — Kristina Reed, Bryanna Rivera; Juniors — Katie Haselton, Eva Pruitt-Dahl; Sophomores — Racquel Provost, Tess Rancourt, Hannah Poirier; Freshmen — Lillia Kachelmeyer, Karisma Santana; Eighth Grader — Amber Bergeron.
OUTLOOK: It’ll be interesting to see how the Green Wave reload this season. A powerhouse the last few years, Greenfield won’t have the same firepower as it’s had in the past — at least on paper. Still, there’s plenty returning to help the club once again be a formidable foe in the FCL North.
It all starts with Haselton, the lone remaining member of the three-headed monster the Wave tossed at opponents the last two years. She’ll be joined by Kristina Reed, Bryanna Rivera and Racquel Provost as returning varsity players who should step up and see larger roles this season.
“We’re a different team, we just have to find our identity,” head coach John Hickey said. “We’ll be competitive every night. We’ll have to do some different things on offense to produce scoring and offense.”
As a junior, Haselton will be looked upon as a leader of the Wave. Hickey expects she’ll step up to play an even larger role on the offensive end.
“Katie has been playing since eighth grade,” Hickey said. “She’s our floor leader. I think she’s going to handle the pressure just fine. She’s a mentally tough kid. She’s got a motor that doesn’t quit. Having that is going to help her out.”
When you lose two players with height like Smith and Reagan Hickey, it isn’t easy to replace that rebounding production. Coach Hickey is looking for a group effort on the boards this season.
“We’re going to have to rebound well as a unit instead of relying on Sam to give us 15 boards a night,” Hickey said. “Besides the skill of them, their size, that’s two good-sized girls who could do multiple things and that’s hard to replace.”
Playing a tough early-season independent schedule that includes Chicopee Comp, Hoosac and Drury, Hickey is hoping to get his team both mentally and physically tougher on the court.
The Wave still have the pieces to make a run to the Cage for the third straight year, but it will take growth and development throughtout the year to get there.
“Our goal every year is to get 10 wins and go to the tournament,” Hickey said. “It all depends on how we improve throughout the season. We’re going to have to learn how to play in close games because we didn’t do a lot of it last year.”
COACH: Larry Fisher, 15th season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: FCL North/3
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 12-9
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: (2019) Lost to Drury in Div. 3 first round
ROSTER: Seniors — MaryAnne Prescott (F), Courtney Page (F), Siobhan Davis (C), Jordan Fournier (C), Jaylyn Eady (F); Juniors — Micalyn Mailloux, Delaney Parker, Abby Henne (G/F), Makayla Mathurin (F); Sophomore — Natalie Belloli; Freshmen — Saylor Kegans (C).
OUTLOOK: In his 15th year as head coach, Larry Fisher hopes to deliver yet another tournament appearance this winter. The veteran coach will have to do so with a team that is down five seniors from a season ago, however.
One player that does return is junior Micalyn Mailloux, who was second in Franklin County averaging 16 points per game as a sophomore.
Mailloux should only improve in her junior year, playing as the shooting guard with the lightning quick Delaney Parker running the point.
“We’re looking alright, we’re working,” Fisher said of his team. “We’ve got a good distribution from freshmen to seniors.”
Five-foot-11 freshman transfer Saylor Kegans figures to be a key cog down low, giving the Senators some much-needed height in the post.
“I think what I’m seeing so far is we’re going to be improved in rebounding and experience,” Fisher said. “I think we can put a small team on the floor and big team on the floor and control the boards. We have a little bit of depth for a small team.”
COACH: Larissa Harrison, 5th season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: FCL West/4
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 6-14
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: (2009) Lost to Wahconah in Div. 2 quarterfinals
ROSTER: Seniors — Grace Poplawski, Carli Cusimano; Junior — Grace Ward; Sophomores — Mya Lesieur, Stella Clark, Courtney Allen, Catie Silva; Eighth Grader — Rachel Pease. Seventh Graders — Hannah Gilbert, Monique Hadley.
OUTLOOK: It’s been over 10 years since the Warriors found themselves in the tournament, and the challenge of making it there became tougher after graduating one senior and losing four other varsity players from a year ago.
“We’re low on numbers,” Mohawk Trail coach Larissa Harrison said. “It’s challenging only returning four girls who played on varsity last year.”
Grace Poplawski led Mohawk with 13.5 points per game last year and should once again be the team’s top offensive threat. Stella Clark and Grace Ward also saw good minutes last season and should take a step forward this year.
Poplawski and Ward were named captains this year, as Harrison has been impressed with their leadership.
“To describe those two, they’re the most humble players,” Harrison said. “They don’t have to say much, their work ethic speaks for itself. I’ve never had to tell them to step up. All the girls look up to them.”
With a young team, the Warriors’ goal is to grow each week and hopefully have a shot at reaching the .500 mark at the season’s conclusion.
“The biggest goal this year is confidence,” Harrison said. “That’s for every player. I’d love to make tournament and even getting there is important but I don’t want to put the pressure on them. Take it one practice, one game at a time, and focus on individual and team improvement.”
COACH: Michael Churchill, 1st season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: FCL South/4
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 12-9
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: (2019) Lost to Pope Francis in Div. 4 first round
ROSTER: Senior — Stephanie Scoville; Juniors — Paige Loughman, Sarah Ellis, Lily Faille, Sarah Johnson, Charlotte Kahler, Emily Tibbetts, Caitlin Hale; Sophomore — Alina Cecunjanin; Freshmen — Azemina Cecunjanin, Caroline Ring, Sofie Walker.
OUTLOOK: First-year coach Michael Churchill inherits a team that returns a solid core of a roster that made its way into the Division 4 tournament a season ago.
Losing center Olivia Rowe will be a challenge, as it’s never easy to replace a six-footer in the lineup, but the Panthers have the chess pieces to make another postseason run.
Pioneer returns three starters in Stephanie Scoville, Paige Loughman and Emily Tibbetts. That will be the core of its squad, but Churchill also has multiple pieces coming off the bench to use during different circumstances.
“I’m really impressed with what I see,” Churchill said. “It’s always a bit of a process getting used to a new coach. What we are hoping to improve upon from last year is building off of it and hopefully going even further in the tournament.”
Scoville and Loughman were named captains, as Churchill was quickly impressed with their leadership intangibles.
“We’re bringing back a core of players with experience,” Churchill said, “which is important in our league. It’s a tough one with Turners, Southwick, Putnam and Ware. I can’t say enough good things about Steph and Paige. Their leadership flows out of them. I don’t have to push the team because they are bulldogs. They go after it 24/7.”
Churchill has spent the last 18 years as an official, and served as a coach in the Mohawk Youth League the past three years.
COACH: Ed Marvell, 2nd season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: FCL South/4
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 1-19
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: (2018) Lost to Mount Everett in Div. 4 quarterfinals
ROSTER: Seniors — Josy Hunter, Eliza Johnson, Hailey Bogusz, Dabney Rollins, Lindsay Whiteman; Junior — Lana Spera; Freshmen — Kendra Campbell, Steph Peterson; Eighth Graders — Taylor Greene, Lily Spera.
OUTLOOK: It was a tough first season for Ed Marvell and the Thunder, but the club is hoping for a better go around in 2019.
Senior Dabney Rollins returns, having averaged 12.4 points per game last year. She should once again be the Thunder’s leading scorer.
Rollins was the lone Turners play to average in double-figures a season ago. The team will need more girls to step up offensively in order to find its way into the win column on a more consistent basis.
Besides Rollins, the Thunder are bringing back an experienced senior class who have seen valuable minutes throughout their time at Turners.
Hailey Bogusz, Lindsay Whiteman and Eliza Johnson should take a step forward this season, hoping to add more wins in their final season with the Thunder.