Girls’ Basketball Beaten Twice
On Jan. 18, the girls’ varsity basketball team played a tough game against Brewster Academy and lost 30-46. Three days later, the team played another game in its rigorous schedule against Choate but unfortunately lost 42-59.
Upper Samantha Weaver noted that the team has stepped up its preparation for its games recently, saying, “The team is ready to end our losing streak so we have been working harder during practice. The preparation for both games was much more intense than it has been in the past.”
Many players felt that the team had its toughest practices before the Brewster and Choate games. Upper Michaella McCarthy said that they prepared more intensely than they have for any previous games this season. “We ran more, we did more drills at a higher level of intensity and we began to push ourselves and each other harder than we have thus far,” she said.
The fatigue each player felt going into each game definitely had an impact. The girls started the Choate game with a lot of intensity, but they quickly grew tired and lost steam. Weaver recognized the team’s decrease in tempo, saying, “We need to work on playing consistently throughout the game as well as more cohesively.”
“Competing the way we did in practice last week allowed us to realize collectively, as a team, what we’re capable of when we really are determined to succeed.”
Although the team lost by sixteen and seventeen points in its games, the players on the team are filled with optimism for the remaining stretch of the season. Upper and co-captain Ella Johnson addressed some of the difficulties the team faced during its games. “We played well in many stretches of both the Choate game and Brewster game. We need to keep working on playing intense defense throughout the game and creating opportunities to get to the basket on offense.”
McCarthy also remained positive about the Choate and Brewster games. “We improved in every aspect of our game in those two competitions: defensively, in transition and offensively—both shooting, passing and off ball movement-wise.”
In the future, McCarthy feels that the team could beat both of the opponents they lost to. “Both Choate and Brewster were very experienced, talented teams. Though we fell short last week, I think future meetings may yield different results,” she said.
She felt ready for the team’s future games because she believes all her teammates are hard-working and excited for this weekend’s game. “Competing the way we did in practice last week allowed us to realize collectively, as a team, what we’re capable of when we really are determined to succeed.”
Weaver concurred, but she believed the team must make key baskets on offense to succeed. “The past couple of games have definitely been winnable. If all of our shots fell, the outcomes would have been in our favor.”
The girls’ varsity basketball team will play Thayer Academy on Saturday, Jan. 28. McCarthy thinks that the team can end its losing streak. “Desire to win isn’t something that can be coached, but our team—realizing how capable we are after last week, now desires and has begun to expect to win—which is much different than the initial mentality.”