The Girls' Varsity Basketball program had many unknowns heading into the 2011/12 season with a roster full of new talent and a new head coach. The team looked to maintain its tradition of excellence (2007 NEPSAC Champions), while creating new habits under the new leadership of head coach Liz McNamara and co-captains Raeanna Lucey ('12/Newbury, NH) and Cheka Ventura ('13/Lawrence, MA). McNamara and Lucey reflect on the season and the team's optimism for a post-season NEPSAC tournament berth in this week's team spotlight. 

The Girls' Varsity Basketball program had many unknowns heading into the 2011/12 season with a roster full of new talent and a new head coach. The team looked to maintain its tradition of excellence (2007 NEPSAC Champions), while creating new habits under the new leadership of head coach Liz McNamara and co-captains Raeanna Lucey ('12/Newbury, NH) and Cheka Ventura ('13/Lawrence, MA). McNamara and Lucey reflect on the season and the team's optimism for a post-season NEPSAC tournament berth in this week's team spotlight.

 

Entering the season, McNamara knew she had some raw talent, but was unsure of how that talent would develop and mesh with returning players. Adjusting to leadership is never an easy task, however, McNamara is very pleased with the transitions this team has made over the past three months, "We are a very different team from the first day I walked into the gym. The girls have worked hard throughout the season and it has shown."

 

McNamara acknowledges that a few early season losses can be attributed to players gradually finding their roles on this team, "It certainly leaves me wishing to have a few of those close losses back from early in the season, but these girls have responded quite well to the challenges in front of them. We have a talented group of players that lead us to be very excited about the years to come."

 

Lucey is excited about the final week of the season, "We are so close to post-season and to enter it for the first time in my time at Proctor would be amazing!" McNamara echoed this optimism, "I think that we, provided we finish the week strong, will present the board with a solid resume – one that should at least get us considered for the tournament. Regardless of what happens, it’s a stepping stone in the right direction for this program and will provide all of us with some extra fire to ensure a spot next year."

 

When asked what she hoped to have contributed to the program, Lucey commented, "As a senior, I hope I have left an impact on the team by showing my love for the sport and through my leadership." The keys to the team's success this year clearly lie in the ability of seniors Lucey, Jessica George ('12/Andover, NH), and Sam Carlson ('12/Bedford, NH) to set an example for their teammates. McNamara added, "I think that our older kids have shown heart throughout the season and have set the bar for the younger kids to measure up to. They will certainly leave some big shoes to fill; their hustle, heart, and determination will be very much missed. Those intangibles are what make a team successful. Ultimately, we want to build a championship caliber program, and the kids, under the leadership of our seniors, have worked hard toward that. I am proud of what this team has accomplished so far and look forward to much more in the future!"