All nine schools on the South Coast – Apponequet, Bishop Stang, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, GNB Voc-Tech, New Bedford, Old Colony, Old Rochester and Wareham – are participating in women’s basketball this winter.
Here’s a look at the 22 players who are expected to impact South Coast Basketball Courts in the 2021-22 season:
EMMA MARRA, RILEY LEVRAULT AND MEIRA COLLEY, APPONEQUET
Apponequet head coach Trevor Gagnier is looking for big things this winter with seniors Emma Marra, Riley Levrault and Meira Colley. Levrault, a goaltender, is a veteran player with a competitiveness and will to win that sets her apart from most. Marra, who also plays guard, is a consistent player who knows her role and doesn’t try to overdo it. Colley, who transferred to Apponequet last year, is the Lakers’ top player and is expected to see an expanded role in her second year with the program. She has the ability to stretch defense with her inside and outside play.
Following:Introducing the 2021 Regular Hours Women’s Basketball Super Team and Stars
BRIDGET MARKEY AND KATE CARREAU, BISHOP STANG
Expectations are high at Bishop Stang and juniors Bridget Markey and Kate Carreau are one of the main reasons. Markey, a three-year-old college rookie, is athletic, quick and quick. She recently added an outside shot to her inside game, making her one of SouthCoast’s best threats. After missing his first year with a knee injury, Carreau has been strong last winter and will be seen as Stang’s defensive leader this season. She is tenacious and has great vision on the court.
SEASON OVERVIEW:2021-22 Breakdown for SouthCoast’s Nine Women’s Basketball Teams
KASEY OLIVER, AVA CRANE AND KATHERINE CHEESEBRO, DARTMOUTH
For Dartmouth, it all starts with Kasey Oliver, a three-year-old college rookie. The senior playmaker attacks the basket, finds open teammates and can handle the ball. She is dangerous with the ball in her hands. Junior forward Ava Crane can extend the floor with her inside and outside play as she is a three-point threat. First-year forward Katherine Cheesebro impressed coach Scott Richards early on with her playfulness, long arms and mid-range shooting ability.
EMERSON BOURGAULT AND MAYA MEDEIROS, FAIRHAVEN
As a starter for four years, senior Emerson Bourgault brings a ton of experience to Fairhaven. She’s an elite defender and does a solid job leading the Blue Devils’ offense. At first, she looks extremely comfortable and confident when shooting the ball. Junior guard Maya Medeiros has been working on her game throughout the offseason (and has been racing cross country) and it shows during the preseason. She is expected to fill out the Blue Devils stat sheet again and be able to play all five positions, which will come in handy as Fairhaven only has seven college players this winter.
KAITLYN DUARTE AND KARA FERREIRA, GNB VOC-TECH
Senior guard Kaitlyn Duarte will set the tone for GNB Voc-Tech this winter as a four-year varsity player with a wealth of experience, skill and confidence. She is also quick and very good defensively. Another bear to watch out for is senior guard Kara Ferreira, a three-year-old varsity player. Ferreira, a shooting guard, is strong offensively and plays fast in defense.
LEXI THOMPSON, KENNEDY FRANKLIN AND VANESSA BUCHA, NEW BEDFORD
New Bedford head coach Jordan Pina is looking for a breakout season with a trio of returning players. Second-year guard Lexi Thompson got off to a solid start a year ago and will lead the Whalers on ground this winter. She is explosive in attack and threatening in defense. Senior forward Kennedy Franklin is much more aggressive than in the past and will be integral to New Bedford’s success with his contributions to this position. Junior guard Vanessa Bucha has the ability to go left and right and is strong to finish against contact. She is also not afraid to protect the best player in the opposition.
HAILEY HATHAWAY AND HAILEY GOLDSTEIN, OLD COLONY
A die-hard basketball player, Old Colony junior goalie Hailey Hathaway plays all year round and competes at a high level and it shows in her experience, skill and confidence. Old Colony head coach Craig Lincoln sees a ton of potential in second-year guard Hailey Goldstein, who gets her first high school basketball shot since the team failed to compete in the last winter.
MAGGIE BROGIOLI, LOGAN FERNANDES AND MOLLY SISSON, OLD ROCHESTER
Old Rochester are favorites to defend their South Coast Conference Championship a year ago and have the potential to make an in depth tournament with seniors Maggie Brogioli and Logan Fernandes leading the way. Brogioli, a vanguard, is a defensive beast with his athleticism, speed and desire. She will be looking to become more of a scoring threat this winter. Fernandes, the team leader, is a calming presence on the pitch with her stability, experience and knowledge. She can also score points. The addition of 6-foot-1 freshman Molly Sisson is important to ORR as she has the ability to score on the inside and can shoot from the outside.
LAURA PINKSTON AND MIAKYA MOORE, WAREHAM
Wareham head coach Kyle Erha has high expectations of Laura Pinkston, a senior, who has developed the confidence to become a goal threat this year. “She’s been playing a long time, but she’s always been pretty passive,” Erha said. “At least to start the season, it was different. She asserted herself, taking an open threesome and leading the ball. Second-year forward Miakya Moore is also expected to be a playmaker for the Vikings.
