Foxboro’s force
Sampson leads way for Warriors in South
DIV. 2 GIRLS HOOP
Last season, Foxboro fell just two wins shy of the ultimate prize of claiming a state title.
The Warriors, however, bring back more than just the experience gained from their deep postseason run, which netted a South Sectional crown.
Foxboro returns four starters including star senior and 1,000-point scorer Ashley Sampson, and the Warriors will look to take care of unfinished business in Division 2 this season.
Sampson, the reigning Hockomock League MVP and Adelphi University commit, is a matchup nightmare for opponents. She averaged 19.1 points last season. There is plenty more talent as well, including Grace Tamulionis, a three-year starter with the ability to score from all over and Lily Sykes, who provides lockdown defense and is a spot-up shooter.
Foxboro will face plenty of challengers, especially out of the Patriot League where a trio of teams have the pieces to contend.
Duxbury retained four starters, including Patriot League All-Star Alli Cavallo, who averaged 14 points in 2016-17. Nicole Callander is an experienced senior leader and was on the 201415 Dragons team that won the state championship.
Hingham will have to do its best without do-it-all point guard Haley Blasetti, who tore her ACL and is out for the season. Coming off its first Keenan Division title since 1999, the Harborwomen will rely on guards Shannon Joyce and Ryley Blasetti.
Hanover graduated two Div. 1 college players in Meaghan Raab and Hayley Wardwell, and the Indians will look to make up for those losses with hardnosed play led by Taylor Scott.
There will be plenty of challengers in Div. 2 from outside the Patriot League, too.
Nauset, which went 18-5 last season, didn’t graduate any players and has a critical piece in place in standout center Skyeler Sandison. Francesca Gonnella, who missed all of last year with a torn ACL, is expected to provide some much-needed scoring for the Warriors.
New Mission makes a huge jump up by two divisions. The Titans are very young, but have a ton of potential including in the backcourt where sophomores Ashlee Serrette and Jasharee Greene shine.
Medfield, which plays in the Central, is the defending state champion and having Maggie McCarthy return is a welcomed sight. The Harvard-bound senior forward and 1,000-point scorer is the two-time TriValley League MVP and much will be put on her shoulders to carry the load again.
Hopkinton will try to take the crown away from Medfield by feeding its doubledouble machine in 6-foot-1 senior forward Ivy Gogolin, while getting strong perimeter play from Regan Keavany.
In the North, reigning sectional champion Arlington Catholic graduated four starters but brings back Herald All-Scholastic Erin Donlan. The junior guard is a menace defensively and displays great range, while Bella Petrillo and Kristin O’Keefe are key contributors.
Tewksbury looks to twin sisters Erin and Lizzy Gallella, who can both score in bunches, for production in the Merrimack Valley Conference.
In the Northeastern Conference, senior Paris Wilkey is back for Lynn Classical as the Rams look to improve on last year’s 18-6 record.
The Middlesex League boasts two contenders in Wakefield and Melrose. Wakefield went 17-5 last season but will navigate the waters this year with new coach Jason Pavey. Melrose will lean heavily on senior guard Alexis Doherty, who led the Red Raiders in scoring the past two seasons.
Hamilton-Wenham made its first-ever trip to the sectional final a year ago, but interim coach Jon Flanagan has his work cut out after taking over the General in recent days. Pentucket is another threat to make noise out of the Cape Ann League as guards Casey Hunt and Jess Galvin return along with center Liv Cross. Newburyport will lean heavily on two-time all-CAL standout Krysta Padellaro.