After a rocky season last year, South Windsor Boys Basketball is ready to have an outstanding start. In the offseason, most of the players were playing on AAU teams in preparation for the high school season. “We are going to try to bounce back from a pretty bad season last year,” said junior Ethan Burke.
Boys basketball might have a chance at upping their game this season. Burke has been working out a lot and has “gotten some runs in with a couple of guys” so he is feeling ready. “Our team has a lot more camaraderie. We have good chemistry, so I think we are going to play pretty well. Our roster is pretty good,” explained Burke.
Our roster is pretty good.
— junior Ethan Burke
The seniors are prepared to lead the squad. Senior Joey Bemis is ready to take that role. “We have some experienced players like me, JP, and London, and we got some new guys who have been grinding all summer. There is some new talent, but I think it will be a good mix with some old talent. I am ready tonight, tomorrow, and Saturday,” said Bemis.
With the upcoming 20-game schedule, the team feels primed for a good season. Senior London King stated, “I think we will have a good season this year. We have better team chemistry and a good young core that I think can contribute to the season.”
The ultimate goal for the squad is to make the state playoffs, despite not having made an appearance since the 2016-2017 season.
Moreover, the Lady Bobcats are coming off of a state playoff appearance where they played Bristol Eastern in the first round. While the team lost 46-52, the girls were 12-9 overall last year.
Although the team only has two seniors, there is potential for another successful season this year, especially with the more intense competition.
“I think it is going to be very interesting how this season goes with a lot of new players and a lot of old players graduating, and we also moved up a division; we are playing the state champs this year,” explained Katie Dunn, senior varsity captain.
Alex Goslin is the new coach who has been introduced to the program. Goslin, herself, is a past top scorer for South Windsor High School. “The SWHS Girls basketball coaches are looking forward to this season! We have a lot of young talent and we are excited about the defensive energy the team will bring this season! This is the first year in some time that we have a freshmen team, so we are excited to continue to grow the program. The team has been working hard so far this year – they are eager to learn and get better,” said Goslin.
“I think our coaching staff is going to excel because we have a lot of new faces, and we have interns from UConn; hopefully, they push us this year,” Katie Dunn told The Prowl.
I think our coaching staff is going to excel because we have a lot of new faces, and we have interns from UConn; hopefully, they push us this year.
— senior, captain Katie Dunn
A major change was made to the basketball program, the girls are now required to play by college rules.
“One of the struggles this year is probably the shot clock. All of the college rules are going to be in high school now, it counts down the time we have on offense. None of the teams are used to it at all. It is something that we have to work on,” said Avery Brochu, sophomore Varsity starter.
Regardless of the new rules, the Girls are on track for a successful season with their practices starting early, building the chemistry of the team. Stay tuned for more information on the Lady Bobcat’s upcoming season.
