By Abby Filmore

  The Masconomet Girls’ Basketball team started the season with a new coach and now are preparing for the playoffs. 

  This year the team is led by new head coach Todd Sundstrom and assistant coach Sydney Brennan. 

  “My biggest goal is to have the players buy into what we are doing and give maximum effort each and every day in practice. As a team, we always aim to make the state tournament, which we, fortunately, achieved this season,” said Sundstrom. “I have realized how incredibly fortunate I am to take over as the Masco Girls’ Basketball coach. This is a storied program, with a long tradition of success. It means the world to me to lead this team and it's been a privilege to coach a great group of student-athletes.”

  The captains are seniors Kylie Dumont, Kaleigh Monagle, and Taylor Bovardi. The three strive to be good role models to their teammates. 

  “I am a leader to my teammates by encouraging them and pushing them to reach their full potential,” said Bovardi.

  Though having a brand new coaching can be difficult, for the Lady Chieftains, the regular season has gone well.  

  “It was definitely difficult having to adjust to a new coach and all that comes with that in the beginning of the season,” said Dumont. “Now with the season ending, I would say we did good and have adjusted well as a team.”

  The team has a strong winning record and hopes to continue the trend for next season.

  The varsity team is made up of 14 girls, ranging from freshman to seniors. There are six seniors on the team, one of them being the team manager, Angie Deiulis. 

  “This team is a fun, positive environment, full of a close knit group of girls who love basketball and we have been playing together for a long time,” said Monagle. 

  Seniors are heading towards the end of their high school basketball careers with the tournament over this past break.

  “As we are more than half way through the season, it is sad that basketball is coming to an end,” said senior Natalie Nolan. “I am excited though to finish up the season and go to the playoffs. I have high hopes for the future of this team and I am proud of how far we have come this year from starting off 0-4.”  

  Even after starting the season with a losing streak, the team has been able to prove themselves on the court by working together and getting more wins. 

  “Being able to help lead the team alongside the other two captains and be a role model to the younger players on the team and in the program is a great feeling,” said Dumont. 

  The Masconomet Girls’ Basketball team has a lot of upcoming practices as they prepare for playoffs and plan for the years ahead.