Whaler women build on winning tradition
Last year's 16-6 record was the second best in school history, and head coach Chris "Willys" Ferreira thinks continuity will be the key to another successful season.

"We had a great year, and having eight players returning is awesome," he said.

"All the pieces are there; it's just a matter of us working together as a unit."

There are 13 girls on a varsity roster that is peppered with underclassmen, including sophomore Angela Paterson, who led the team in scoring last year as a freshman. And while the

loss of four-year players Aislinn Dugan and Evie O'Connor to graduation hurts, Ferreira looks to current seniors Callie Moore, Erin Lindsay and team co-captain Anna Burnham to anchor the squad and provide leadership.

Another senior that could have a big impact is transfer student Mary Anne Bradley, who Ferreira says has already impressed coaches with her passing abilities. "She sees the floor extremely well," he said.

Returning players include junior co-captain Aileen Fredericks, junior Mandy Cahill, junior Cassie Moran, junior Whitney Butler and the aforementioned Paterson.

Moving up from the junior varsity squad are last year's most valuable player Anita Elahi and Perinda Darden. There are also two freshmen on the squad, Shantel Hanniford and Johnica Farmer.

"I think we look pretty good," Ferreira said. "We have a lot more talent than we've seen in a long time, from the junior varsity on up, so it's exciting."

The team will be tested early, as the first game is an away game against Division 1 Dennis-Yarmouth next

Tuesday. After a trip to West Bridgewater next Friday, the girls will open at home a week from Saturday against South Shore Tech.

Last year's team went two games deep in the playoffs. It's still too early for predictions, but there's enough talent this year to keep Ferreira's outlook optimistic. "We've got some size, and a couple of good shooters. . . . You always hope to play your best at the end of the year."

And for the record, the best record was 17-6, during the

Adrienne Harvey years.

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- Steve Sheppard