With a 7-3 overall record, the varsity girls basketball team has been having a very successful season. Led by Head Coach Quinn O’Brien and Assistant Coach Tylon Smith, as well as senior Co-captain forward Reagan Heafey-De Angelis and junior guard Co-captain Olivia Pilecki and junior guard Co-captain Samaria Gonzalez, the team is making steady improvements and is looking to finish the season strong.
Some players who stand out in practice include seventh-grade guard Naomi Diffenderfer and eighth-grade guard Dalia Malz. “The Middle Schoolers really stand out in practice,” Heafey-De Angelis said. “They have been working their butts off to be able to compete with the high schoolers, and they’re not afraid to take a shot or drive to the basket.” It is rare for a Middle Schooler to play on the high school varsity team, which further showcases these players’ dedication to the game. In addition, Heafey-De Angelis gave shoutouts to Pilecki and Gonzalez, as well as junior forward Katie Reale, for their work ethic. “They have been working hard every practice and game and are huge contributors to our team,” she said.
In addition, Heafey-De Angelis has also brought a lot of experience, maturity, and guidance as a captain and the sole senior on the team. She will be dearly missed next year as she goes on to play collegiate basketball at the University of Saint Joseph.
During their daily practices, the team works on a variety of drills that improve defense, which is often an underrated part of basketball. “We work a lot on our defense because we know that defense helps us win games and leads to our success on offense,” Heafey-De Angelis said.
Heading into the second half of the season, the main focus is to make it to the postseason, and the team is on track to do that. “We have a pretty great team this year, and a strong record,” Heafey-De Angelis said. Following a narrow 60-52 loss to Kimball Union on Dec. 21, the team has been on a winning streak, accumulating five wins in a row over Miss Porter’s, Westminster, Central Christian, Miss Hall’s, and Pomfret.
The highlight of the season happened in a revenge game against Miss Porter’s on Jan. 22, where the Wyverns took home a 55-48 victory. “Winning against Miss Porters was a huge highlight, not just because they are class A and we are class B, but also because they beat us by 20 points last year,” Heafey-De Angelis said. “We came back and beat them at their own gym.”
Part of Coach O’Brien’s approach to improvement is by upholding a shared philosophy. “Team beats talent when talent isn’t a team,” he says. The team holds true to this, taking pride in their teamwork and team camaraderie. Heafey-De Angelis shared that everyone is comfortable with each other, which makes for a great team bond.
On Jan. 25, the team will go up against the competitive Loomis Chaffee School. The work they have put in so far in practice will show and we wish them the best of luck!
