A strong return of core players points to a highly competitive season for the Greenfield girls basketball team this year. The second day of practice brought plenty of transition and and suicide drills for the team on Wednesday.
The Green Wave welcome back eight players from last year’s team including leading scorer Tayler Bergeron. A little more will be asked of Bergeron this season for Green Wave, as she will assume more point guard duties.
“We are going to look to her to score and create for everyone else,” Greenfield coach Ben Johnson said.
Along with her roles on the floor, Bergeron has a goal for herself.
“I want to be a leader,” Bergeron said. “I want to show the girls how to play. Especially the new ones who are coming up to varsity for the first time. I think we are looking good. Everyone seems to be catching on really fast.”
Gloria McDonald also returns for the Wave. McDonald missed the end of last season with an ankle injury. With injuries toward the end of last season some of the younger players got solid varsity experience.
“We had a lot of girls from J.V. step up,” Johnson said. “Got a lot of minutes that are now full-time varsity players. They got that experience at the end of last year.”
The numbers were solid for tryouts this season.
“I think we look really good honestly,” McDonald said. “Twenty girls is more than I expected personally. I think our season is going to look pretty good. We are in a new league, playing new teams. We are just trying to win overall and work together and have a good outcome each game.”
McDonald is working on ballhandling this season, a point of emphasis for her heading into the season. As for the team, McDonald has a goal for her teammates.
“For the team,” McDonald said. “I want to see an improvement in taking shots when you are open. That’s a really big thing for us I think. Boxing out is also a big thing for us.”
Greenfield moved into the Franklin South league for this year. The Green Wave will face more Franklin County opponents in their schedule.
Greenfield finished 8-13 last season and made it to the Round of 32 in the Division 5 state tournament. The Green Wave picked up a 71-34 win over Baystate Academy in the preliminary round.
Natalia Cody is a sophomore who will have a big role this season. Same goes for fellow sophomore Sarah McCloud.
“We have a lot of depth,” Johnson said. “We are going to run a lot.”
Greenfield has some good athletes and scoring, but there is a deficiency in the size department. Johnson plans on playing fast and aggressive to alleviate possible size disadvantages.
“Picking up the pace,” Johnson said. “Running as fast as we can. Transition. Pressing whenever we can.”
Greenfield has a definite shot at a league championship.
“There’s a strong possibility we could compete for the league title,” Johnson said. “With so many girls coming back. I think we will have a strong year this year.”
Greenfield opens its season at Granby on Dec. 11.