Girls basketball looks to come out strong, use speed to overcome loss of players

Drew Cushing, Reporter

After finishing the season 18-10 last year with a loss in the regional championship to Whitney Young, the girls varsity basketball team looks to improve its record this year by using their speed to gain an advantage over other teams.

“We have high expectations this year, including being a top team in the conference and making a deep playoff run,” guard Gaby Galassini ‘15 said.

Galassini is one of seven returning varsity players from last year, five of whom are seniors. However, the team lacks some depth due to an 11 man roster because some seniors are not returning in order to focus on other sports such as softball and club soccer. Also, only one girl from the sophomore team last year decided to try out for varsity this year.

“I’m really disappointed they didn’t try out this year,” Head Coach Paul Krick said. “I thought we had a great season last year and was looking forward to them coming out this year.”
With the graduation of last year’s seniors, including captain Kayla Morrissey ‘14, the team also expects juniors and underclassmen such as Frannie Corrigan ‘16, Nina Scaramella ‘16, Clare Purcell ‘17 and Sidney Bugaieski ‘18 to step into bigger roles during the season. The youth of the team just adds to the fast-paced tempo that the squad wants to utilize.

“We are very quick and we will be able to play a fast pace game that will serve as an advantage to us over other teams,” Corrigan said. “We want to be able to compete as one of the top teams in our conference by playing hard in each game.”

Galassini agrees with Corrigan on this aspect.

The team started off the season with the LT Thanksgiving tournament at South Campus. In the tournament, the team went 3-0, defeating Depaul Prep 65-9, Shepard 61-24 and Downers Grove South 46-27. “Everyday we’re getting better. I know our girls want to challenge for the conference title and finish the season playing their best,” Krick said. “Our team has rallied around the concept of hard-work and teamwork. They’ve not only accepted it but embraced it. They realize we can accomplish more together than we can as individuals.”

The team’s last game was away against Glenbard West on Tuesday, Dec. 2, which was past the LION’s deadline. However, the team next plays away on Dec. 6 against St. Joseph’s High School at 2:30 p.m.

“We have high expectations this year, including being a top team in the conference and making a playoff run,” Galassini said. “Everyone on the roster can come into the game and provide something to the team.”