It could be a season full of growing pains for the Mount Greylock girls’ basketball team, as just one starter returns from last season’s roster.
Sophomore Lucy Barrett returns as the only member of the team to see consistent playing time last season. Heather Tomkowicz and Mackenzie Flynn return for their junior seasons, after seeing time off the bench last year.
The early-season growing pains were clear in the first half of the season opener against Hoosac Valley. The Mounties struggled to generate any offense and were held to just three points in the second quarter. As the season goes on, things should open up for the Mounties.
"We have so many young kids on the team, it’s going to be about making little adjustments like trying to handle the trap," coach Paul Barrett said after the season-opening loss to Hoosac. "We don’t even have a zone offense in at this point."
Barrett and Flynn will captain the squad this season. Barrett returns as a top scorer in the county. Margot Besnard is the team’s only senior, but this will be her first season playing for the Mounties. She previously played squash during the winter, electing this year to join the team on the court.
Miranda Dils, Kelsey Orpin and Miranda Voller should all expect to see playing time in their sophomore years after spending last year at the junior varsity level.
Freshman Arianna Walden should also see a decent amount
Last season, the Mounties narrowly missed the postseason by finishing with a 9-11 record, including a 4-4 divisional record. Greylock finished third in the South, behind Lenox and Hoosac.
Barrett is hopeful that as the season goes on his young team will continue to improve. The Mounties only play five games in the month of December, allowing the team to spend time in the gym practicing and getting to know each other.
The strength for the Mounties this season will be a quick transition. Despite having a 30-second shot clock to work with, Greylock will run a 10-second offense.
"The transition aspect I know is hopefully going to be our strength," Paul Barrett said. "We like to run a 10-second shot clock. We do it at practices, as well. We run the 10-second clock and then they start attacking and making good decisions."
The quick transitions should also help the Mounties catch opponents off guard. The idea behind a fast-paced offense is to push the tempo, hopefully to a point where to opposition isn’t comfortable. That will lead to breakdowns and easy baskets for the Mounties.
"I think our girls will get better as the season goes along," Paul Barrett said. "They’re going to be able to handle the pressure a little better. Things will turn out better for us this year."
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