The Pilgrim girls basketball team is off to a blazing start this season as it sits at 4-1 in Division III, good for third place in the standings. The Pats moved down from DII and have benefited in …
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The Pilgrim girls basketball team is off to a blazing start this season as it sits at 4-1 in Division III, good for third place in the standings.
The Pats moved down from DII and have benefited in the early going. The team has been led by senior Lily Hall and a large group of underclassmen, including sophomores Madison Tuirok, Maddison Belanger and Skylar Hawes.
Hall has embraced her role as a veteran leader this winter after three seasons of working off the bench for the Pats.
“I have (felt the need to be a leader). It’s been a tough three years being on the bench, not really playing. It’s nice to be able to have a chance to lead the team. It’s a learning experience, seeing what I did wrong and what I have to do better. What I have to do to hold my ground and be able to play,” said Hall.
Although the youth could be seen as a disadvantage, Pilgrim coach Kaitlyn Rachiele has seen it as a positive, as it brings a better pace and energy to the floor. The team has already surpassed last year’s win total and she attributes much of the turnaround to the jolt that the younger players have provided.
“Our quickness and our defense. We’re very young and very quick, very athletic, our defense is key. They just gel together and work very well together. It’s just a great group of girls that are very coachable. I looked at our team and I saw who we had at tryouts and I was very excited,” said Rachiele. “I always have confidence in this group. This one, if they can put it together, they can be great. They just need that confidence.”
Rachiele also has high expectations for Hall.
“I put a lot on Lily’s plate, always, every game. I need even more from her and I know I will get more from her. She’s a great passer, a great shooter and plays defense. For me, she has the whole package. She’s got to deliver that each game,” said Rachiele. “Last game, I got her mad before the game and she got a double-double. I guess that will be key, getting her mad. She should be able to get a double-double every night.”
The Pats will continue to be tested in the second half of the regular season. Division III has been a dogfight in recent years and is figuring to be a battle this winter as well, with teams like Lincoln School, Prout, Central Falls and Burrillville in the mix.
“We have some tough games coming up with Prout and Central Falls. (The win against Mt. Pleasant) was a test and we made it through pretty well. The team bond we have is pretty strong. The underclassmen are helping as well and doing great,” said Hall.
The Pats have championship aspirations this season and do not consider it to be a rebuilding year. Rachiele is excited to see this group’s hunger for a title and looks forward to building a long-term contender at the school.
“I’m very excited for what this team could be, what it could develop into. This younger group really wants it, Lily really wants it, this group wants another championship,” Rachiele said.
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