The starting point guard and post players from last year’s Belmont High School girls basketball team graduated, leaving plenty of opportunity for new faces this winter.
The Marauders nabbed the No. 21 seed in the MIAA Division 1 Tournament last winter with a 10-11 record, falling to No. 12 Bridgewater-Raynham in the first round. Middlesex League All-Star Sophia McClendon is back for her junior year, but the graduation of former league all-star and starting point guard Mia Ferrari and post players Julia Herlihy and Emily Donahue opened up a lot of minutes for other Marauders to take on bigger roles.
“We have a really exciting group this season, especially with a deep roster of talented guards,” Belmont coach Shantell Jeter said. “Our main focus is to play up-tempo basketball, pushing the pace and creating fast-break opportunities… We’ll be emphasizing a tough, disciplined defense that can fuel our offense.”
Watch for the Marauders to play aggressively on both ends of the floor. Jeter preaches playing with heart and cohesion, looking for the team to limit turnovers. The key? Finding a balance between staying aggressive and maintaining composure.
Senior guard Linda Sheng, another returning starter, is among the better-known players expected to make a jump. Freshman Sarah Geller brings a hard-nosed, relentless effort, especially on defense. Seniors Gabby Orfanos (18 points) and Brynn Connolly (11 points) shone in a 70-21 opening-night victory over Melrose on Friday, Dec. 13. Geller netted 8 points in her varsity debut.
“I’m confident in the depth and talent we have this year, and these players are all ready to make significant contributions,” Jeter said. “We’ve seen a lot of talent, especially from the first years who have come in hungry and eager to learn. They’ve been working hard, and it’s exciting to see how much potential they have.”
Games to watch include home and away contests in January and early February against Middlesex League foe and perennial power Woburn, plus a game at two-time reigning Division IV state champion Cathedral in late January. The schedule also features an appearance at the Legends Classic hosted by Cambridge Rindge & Latin High School at the end of the month and a non-league game against Andover.
“The early practices and games have been really promising,” Jeter said. “It’s clear that the future of girls basketball in Belmont is bright, and I’m excited about the foundation we’re building. Our young players are already making an impact, and I expect them to continue to grow throughout the season.”
