By John Orrell, Contributing Writer
(l to r) – Nicole Foster, Julie Hutchinson, and Erica Sudol
(Photo/John Orrell)
Westborough – The expression “same but different” is often heard in a colloquial sense, but for the Westborough High girls varsity basketball team, it may carry over into more formal lingo of the sporting realm as well.
The 2015-2016 team returns nearly its entire roster from a year ago with no players lost to graduation – same – but returns with a roster deep in experience – different — that looks to establish itself as a top-flight contender in Midland B competition this season.
Pre-season indications are more than favorable for this group that has familiarity, talent and experience on its side. All are positives that the team looks to take full advantage of when the team launches a new campaign, according to eleventh-year head coach Scott Kittredge.
“I like the attitude and energy I see from the team. Everyone goes full bore and I appreciate that,” he said. “On the court, one of our best attributes is that we have flexibility. We don’t have a ton of size, but we don’t have a lot of discrepancy so we’ll be able to switch some things. I expect that we’ll be multi-faceted on defense and offensively we’re hoping that everyone out there can be a threat.
“We need to establish consistency. Last year we had a really inexperienced team. This year we have all but two back having added two new girls. It’s going to be a total flip. This year they have the experience to know what they’re getting into. We need to finish games stronger than we did last year but consistency and being aggressive are what we need to focus on the most.”
Leading the team will be senior captain Julie Hutchinson who remains on the hardwood but switches gear from volleyball to basketball following a successful fall season that saw the team advance to the 2014 district championship. Expect strong leadership and direction from the team’s captain who will be called upon to unite younger players with more senior members before and after the season starts.
“I want to make sure that everyone is included and involved,” said Hutchinson, who will rotate between guard and forward. “Everyone needs to be close together so we have people returning for years to come. I want to be a more vocal player and help people out on the court and be supportive of everyone.
“We have an advantage this year because we all pretty much know how each other plays and what works well with each other. I definitely think we have a chance of making post-season. We just have to work hard and play together and I think if we do that, we’ll be successful.”
Kittredge has named a pair of assistant captains – senior guard / forward Erica Sudol and junior point guard Nicole Foster – who will be counted on for overall team contributions.
“It’s important as leaders to be vocal and talk to everyone on the court and especially be there for Julie [Hutchinson] and everyone else, especially the younger kids,” said Foster.
“Being a team and working together is a huge part of what we need to do,” Sudol added. “Everyone needs to be included and focus on working together and support each other. Because we have 10 returning players, everyone knows each other and that makes a difference.”
The remainder of the squad consists of all returnees but two which include juniors Ally Slocum (guard / forward), Haley Brown (forward), Bridget Heffernan (forward), Becca Gasvey (center) and Kaleigh Wright (guard) as well as sophomores Emily Burneson (forward), Tess Garrity (guard), Jenna Lewis-Kedding (guard) and Emily Hannan (forward). Heffernan missed last season due to injury and Hannan and Wright are the team’s two new additions. Sophomore Chelsea Taylor will assist as the team’s manager.
“We’re looking for improvement,” said Kittredge, who is assisted by Molly Brogan and Jill Jones. “We’ve talked about team goals and we want to improve in all aspects. Communication is big, camaraderie and bonding are too. I think that the districts are a definite likelihood for us.”
