Kathleen Galvin throws up a shot. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
MARLBOROUGH — Before Advanced Math and Science Academy (AMSA) girls basketball could worry about winning, players were concerned about whether they’d be able to field a team at all. After graduating a large senior class, there weren’t many familiar faces on this Eagles squad.
“We had to reach out to the community and be like, ‘Please play,'” said captain Riley Whittier, one of three seniors on the team. “We didn’t have a lot of players.”
To fill out the roster, the Eagles pulled players from the JV team, and two players in Whittier’s grade joined the group “just for fun.” The team’s starting point guard is a seventh-grade student, and each and every one of the group’s coaches — varsity to JV, head coach to assistant — is also in their first year with the Eagles.
But while it’s safe to say AMSA’s program has experienced some change in recent months, one thing that’s remained remarkably consistent is the team’s winning culture. On Jan. 24, the Eagles defeated visiting Worcester Tech, 48-29, to move to 9-2 on the season and continue an excellent stretch that extends back to 2021.
You know what they say — the more things change, the more things stay the same.
“It’s an attitude that we can overcome anything. We don’t let people get down. It’s about the next play, and if we make a mistake, we learn from it. I think our captains lead by example,” said Head Coach Joe Ciolino. “As far as body language — we strive to have positive body language. We want them to be a good teammate, share the ball. It’s not just about the stat sheet, it’s about making the right play.”
A group of players jump for a loose ball. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
Whittier led the way against Worcester Tech, scoring 18 points despite playing limited minutes in the fourth quarter. Kathleen Galvin, the team’s second captain, added 12 points, and helped the Eagles pull ahead 25-9 by the halfway point.
“I feel like we had a lot of good ball movement, good communication. This was a good opportunity for our bench players to come out, run the sets, and get some minutes. It was fun,” said Galvin, a junior from Hudson.
Aside from Galvin and Whittier, the Eagles enjoyed a steady stream of points from Brooke Laudate, Celeste Meredith, Jill Benoit, and Leila Brooks, the seventh-grade standout. The team scored only one 3-pointer, but was dominant from inside the paint.
When asked about how this “brand-new” team has morphed into a winning bunch, coaches and players alike were clear: Though the group comes from different towns, grades, and backgrounds, it nonetheless managed to develop camaraderie.
These Eagles are birds of a feather.
“I’d attribute it to team chemistry. We’re all pretty good friends, we’re a range of ages — we’ve got a seventh-grade starting point guard, and I’m a senior. We’re pretty different age- and maturity-wise, but I think everyone gets along very well, and that works on and off the court. We support each other, we pick each other up,” said Whittier.
Kathleen Galvin attempts a free throw during the first quarter. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
Riley Whittier drives to the basket. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
Riley Whittier puts a shot up. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
Kathleen Galvin dribbles the ball up the court. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
Kathleen Galvin goes for the layup. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
Makayla Laudate chases after a loose ball. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
Makayla Laudate searches for an open teammate. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
Kathleen Galvin backs into the defender. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
Brooke Laudate puts up a shot. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
Jill Benoit fights through contact while attempting a shot. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
Two AMSA players try to grab onto the ball. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
Riley Whittier fights through contact while driving to the basket. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
Kathleen Galvin eyes the ball. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
