The Southwick Regional High School girls basketball team took on Windsor Locks (Conn.) in a pre-season scrimmage Dec. 10 at home. (Photos by Marc St. Onge)
SOUTHWICK – A first-year head coach is about to usher in a new era for the Southwick Regional High School girls basketball program, but the final outcome may lie within the old guard (or two … and a pair of forwards to be exact).
“To be honest, we want to get into the playoffs … and get another year on the banner for winning the league,” said new Southwick head coach Brittany Sleight, who served as assistant coach last year under Mike Gill. “But it’s one thing at a time. We need to build a foundation, get more physical, have a successful season and win more games.”
That transition should be made all the easier with the return of four senior starters – guards Emily Martin and Maura Wurster; and forwards Kathleen Shea and Julia Gardner.
Sophomore center Hannah Burke is expected to patrol the interior post.
Despite losing two practice days to the recent snowstorm, Southwick showed signs of a burning passion to succeed with a physical brand of basketball against Windsor Locks Tuesday night.
“For my first year as varsity coach, I am definitely excited for the season,” coach Sleight said. “Hopefully I can bring that spark to them.”
The Southwick girls hoops team tips-off the 2019-20 regular season Dec. 19 at home against Ware at 7 p.m.
OPENING DAYS: The Southwick boys ice hockey team will open the season Dec. 13 against Belchertown at Amelia Park at 7 p.m. The Rams wrestling team will travel to Monument Mountain Regional High School Dec. 14 for a meet at 9:30 a.m. On Dec. 17, the Southwick boys basketball team hosts Smith Academy at 7 p.m.
