Four of South Coast's nine girls basketball teams have qualified for the 2023-24 MIAA playoffs.
Apponeket and Dartmouth won their respective conference championships this winter, Old Rochester doubled its win total from the previous year, and Wareham turned around in its new league with a new coach.
The opening match for each team is as follows:
Aponeket
record: 19-3
seed: 12th place in category 3
Opening match: Will host No. 21 Arlington Catholic (11-9) in the Round of 32, date and time to be determined.
Outlook: The Lakers used a balanced attack to win the South Coast Conference Blue Division championship, finishing with 19 wins. CeCe Levereaux leads three Aponeke players in double digit scoring with his 13.8 points per game. Addison Taylor is averaging 12.1 points and Hannah Kryscak is averaging 11.5 PPG. “Balanced scoring is one of our biggest strengths,” Apponeketo head coach Trevor Gagne said. “We're playing good team basketball and we're peaking at the right time.'' The Lakers, who are in the playoffs on a 10-game winning streak, hope to advance past the Round of 32 after losing to Rockland in last year's round. I believe. “It was one of our goals to get a home game, so we're looking forward to that opportunity,” Coach Gagne said.
Fan voting:2023-24 Regular Season South Coast Women's Basketball Players
dartmouth
record: 17-3
seed: 4th place in category 2
Opening match: No. 29 will host the winner of Shepherd Hill (12-8)/No. 36 Somerset Berkeley (11-9) Round of 32, date and time TBA.
Outlook: Dartmouth is coming off a historic regular season in which it defeated Bridgewater-Raynham for the first time in 10 years and won the Southeast Conference championship for the first time in program history with a perfect league record. “We've had some down seasons during the season, but we felt like things turned around in the last few weeks,” Dartmouth head coach Brian Jalbert said. Dartmouth lost its last two games against St. Mary's and Andover, but Jalbert particularly liked what he saw against St. Mary's. “I was very pleased with our defense and our patience on attack against St. Mary’s,” he said. “They're a great team and that game really showed us that we can play with anyone and that we're ready for whatever opportunities come our way in the tournament.” Kat Cheesebro has 27.4 per game. He is the South Coast's leading scorer in points. She is averaging 8.3 rebounds and 3.2 steals while shooting 88 percent from the free throw line. Kaylin Zuber stepped up this season, averaging 8.9 points and 6.7 rebounds.
old rochester
record: 15-6
seed: 22nd place in category 3
Opening match: Date and time to be determined, visit No. 11 Watertown (15-5) in the Round of 32.
Outlook: The Bulldogs made a huge comeback from seven wins a year ago to 15 wins this season. “We're really pleased with our growth and improvement this season,” Old Rochester head coach Rick Regan said. “I love our team's grit, determination and never-give-up attitude.” The Bulldogs are led by Hannah Soler, who is averaging a double-double with 10.5 points and 12.6 rebounds per game, and Amber Engel (8.7 PPG). Emerson Gonet (7.6 PPG), Emma Johnson (7.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG), and Caroline Brogioli (7.2 PPG, 3.2 steals per game) have also contributed to Old Rochester's success, with Carly Melo and Tessa Winslow was also an important rotation player. Coach Regan believes the team will be tested in the remaining four games, facing stiff competition from the likes of Aponeket, Dartmouth and New Bedford. “We'll see in the tournament. I think our defense is going to carry us and we'll have a chance to move forward, and the girls are looking forward to the opportunity to play in the tournament,” he said.
She wanted to quit the sport.Now Glover and Wareham girls basketball is thriving again
Wareham
record: 15-6
seed: 35th place in the category 4
Opening match: Visits 20th place St. Bernans (11 wins, 9 losses) in the qualifying round, date and time to be determined.
Outlook: The Vikings, playing in the Mayflower League for the first time, are making the playoffs for the first time since 2017 and are looking to make some noise with a young, talented team under first-year head coach Mike Fortune. “The coaching staff has also emphasized that tournament participation is no longer the end goal,” Fortune said. “We'll be able to accomplish a lot more. Our focus this week is finishing at the rim and taking a lot of shots.” Jordyn Ellwood leads Wareham with an average of 10.5 points per game. , Johnny Tompkins is averaging 9.5 points and Kyra Pierre is chipping in with 6 PPG.
