Basketball

Girls Basketball Season Preview

Luke Longstreeth

After finishing last year with a 12 – 6 league record, and a tournament berth, the girls expect to finish this year with a bang. This year the team expects to face difficult opponents like Frontier and Lenox. The girls plan on starting a mostly seasoned squad led by their seasoned coach, Ted Wilcox. This year the team will be led by four seniors that have been in the program as long as they have been at Smith. Lindsay Gondek comments, “This year our team will come back strong because we are a coming back with the same weapons.”

After last year’s tournament run against Ware, the team wants revenge against their league rivals. The team expects to have to play Frontier extremely well because they have a well coached and very fit team. This year the bench will really need to be strong to add to the team’s defense. The girls all love to play with each other, and the support that they give each other is remarkable. The team work and the skills are seen on the court in the strategies and in the team’s attitude. Fans may expect to see Steph Slysz, Sarah Wickles, Allison Slysz, Abeni Davies, Lindsay Gondek, and possibly Alyssa Klepacki as the starters.

This year is sure to be a dazzler. The returning starters and the power scorers are sure to impress the crowd. Whether it’s the amazing blocks and rebounds by Abeni Davies or the offensive firepower Sarah Wickles and the Slysz sisters, the team is sure to keep the fans happy. Last year the team went farther than they expected, and they plan on returning to the tournament this year. As the season starts, the new players are sure to add to the team and an influx of younger players should help to bolster the program by adding depth to the junior varsity team. This year is sure to be a wonderful year and good luck!

Boys Basketball Season Preview

Luke Longstreeth

This season the boys team returns after last year’s 9 – 11 season. After a long and tiresome season the boys are ready to shock the crowd and become the dominating team in the league. This year the team returns seven players, only one being a senior. This year’s team has veteran captain Chris Sulda, and the newcomer Jeremiah Stowe as the only two seniors. This year the team expects to qualify for the MIAA tournament and take a run at becoming Western Mass Champions.

This year the team returns their leading scorers, Anthony Afflitto and Chris Sulda. The dynamic duo return this year bigger and stronger. Chris Sulda says, “This year the team looks more determined and more disciplined in all that we do.” This year the boys all seem to have a strong desire to go all the way. With the skill set, the dynamic players, and the team unity, the boys are all setting their sights on the games to come. This year the team will most likely be starting Chris Sulda, Anthony Afflitto, Corey Mortimer, Joey O’Connell, Nick Fitzgerald or Mat Sulda.

Game one comes against Pioneer on December 11. The team has less than a week to prepare for their well skilled adversary. The boys believe that this year they can really make it to the top. Now at the beginning of the season, the boys’ morale is high and the bonds are close. The new players are quickly breaking into the squad and finding their place on the team. This year we look forward to both of our basketball squads participating in the postseason.