By: Emma West

After a 4-16 finish to their 2016-2017 season, the Westborough High School girls basketball team is looking for redemption. With the loss of seven seniors last year including team captains Bridget Heffernan and Ally Slocum, as well as key players like Nicole Foster and Haley Brown – such a comeback may seem difficult. However, rising young players on the team bring promise and hope.

“We lost a lot of seniors, but we have so many great young players. We are all strong ball players, and a lot of us have played together for a long time. We have the potential for a very solid season,” says Haley Welsh, a junior. This will be her first year on varsity, and the point guard is eager to make her mark.

When asked about his expectations for the upcoming season, Head Coach Scott Kittredge is excited about new possibilities: “I’d say we are cautiously optimistic about trying to get back to the playoffs. While we have a lot of new girls and will have to sort out everyone’s exact role, this team has a good positive vibe going and more athleticism than we’ve had in recent seasons.”

Sophomore Carolyn Kelley agrees. “I’m really excited for this season. This team can do really well and possibly go far. We have a lot of returning players and have good depth. We have a very strong and athletic team and I am very excited to see how well we can do this season,” she says. Also a point guard, Kelley has been on varsity since her freshman year.

Senior and captain Tess Garrity shares the confidence and excitement that her teammates and coach have regarding for the upcoming season. “I’ve already seen in tryouts the willingness of these girls to work hard, and how talented they are. It’s bittersweet to play my senior season, but overall I’m excited for it.” Garrity shares the captaincy with fellow seniors Emily Burneson and Emily Hannan.

Stand-out, seasoned players like seniors Casey McNamara and Emma Phelps will build on successes from last year, and look to improve on team weaknesses (rebounding was a particular problem last season).

The team had their first scrimmage last Monday against Nipmuc. The Rangers won handily: 28-12 was the final score.

Their season opener is home on Wednesday, December 13 at 6pm versus Framingham.