Avonlea Cummings
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
In an exhilarating contest that showcased skill, teamwork, and determination, the Walpole girls' basketball team has initiated a winning streak following their 49-37 victory against Braintree High on Friday, December 15th. The game unfolded as a consistent back-and-forth battle, with both teams readjusting to the court after a lengthy off-season. Fans eagerly watched from the edge of their seats to witness the competitive clash.
As the first whistle marked the commencement of the contest, the Walpole girls ignited a fiery start on the court, executing quick and intelligent passes around the net to find the optimal angle for a shot. Taking command of the ball, Walpole strategically assessed when to make their next moves, whether it involved taking shots or contending for a rebound. By the conclusion of the first half, Walpole had assumed a 27-17 lead.
The crowd's cheers resonated as the second half commenced. Braintree presented a formidable challenge for the Timberwolves, but with considerable skill and determination, Walpole ultimately triumphed with a final score of 49-37. Junior Izzy Adams led the scoreboard with an outstanding performance, accumulating 18 points for the Timberwolves. Following in Adams' footsteps, Walpole sophomore Bella Bingham contributed ten additional points, while senior Lauren Ofgant secured eight points for the hosting team.
Head coach Dave Wall offered his insights on the competition and highlighted some of the leadership within the team.
“I think we are learning as we go, we have some kids who have played on varsity the last few years, and some kids who are starting to get a crack at it. I think the game flow and intensity of the game is a learning process and I thought they handled it well, we made a fair share of mistakes but I think they settled down well. Defensively I think we can be cleaner, but offensively I am super happy with how it looks out there, I think we got tough when we needed to. I thought Izzy stepped up huge in the second half. When she gets going, she is tough to stop. She made the right plays. We trust her to make decisions. When we needed a spark she stepped up for us offensively, which was huge,” said Wall.
The team will continue on to play into the season hosting Norwood High next on Thursday, December 21st. The competition is set to begin at 6:30 pm. Coach Wall spoke a bit about the leadership from the upperclassmen, and what he is looking forward to this season in growth.
“I’ve got five seniors, they are not a super loud, vocal group, but they are very mature, they don’t get rattled, and work well with the younger kids. I think they are a really cool group of seniors, a couple of them waited their turn for their chance and now they are taking advantage of it. Their leadership has been fantastic and I couldn’t ask for more. I think we are a type of team where you see us next month and you see us the month after and we are going to improve even more. I think there is a lot of room for growth,” said Wall.
