Colonials have come long way.

Byline: Craig Holt

COLUMN: GIRLS' BASKETBALL

Inspired by the time-honored "one-game-at-a-time" mind-set, first-year Shrewsbury girls' basketball coach Erin Largess wasn't too concerned after her team got crushed by Holy Name on its own floor in mid-December. Two months later, the Colonials find themselves in the Central Mass. Division 1 Tournament and co-champions of Mid-Wach A with rival Algonquin.

"At the beginning of the year, I came in with certain expectations, and then I realized that I needed to start lower," Largess said. "I had to teach much more than I had anticipated. But things have worked out well. Mike (assistant coach Farmer) and I keep telling ourselves that we've been doing this since November, and now it's starting to come. Fortunately, we've kept getting better and better."

Shrewsbury put forth a solid two-way effort against top-ranked Westboro Tuesday night. Though the Colonials never led, they did whittle a 22-point deficit to 14 over the last three minutes of the first half, thanks to a 10-2 run. Faced with a daunting deficit, Shrewsbury hung tough in the second session, hustling throughout and never deviating from the team-play approach.

"I'd say that one of our goals has been to score a lot of points off our defense," Largess said. "But I've been pleasantly surprised with the amount of shooters that I have. We've got some good ones. Kristy Benoit takes the ball to the hoop as well as anyone. And she's such a competitor. It's tough to stop a player who's that good and that competitive. Defense is our focus, but we can run an offense and score in a set position."

The Colonials have a deep backcourt. Benoit, a senior captain, leads the team in scoring (11.0 ppg), tossing in 15 points against the Rangers. She can fill it up in a variety of ways, but is most dangerous off the dribble. Sophomore Erin Kinback provides backcourt stability at both ends of the floor and thrives in the role of playmaker. Junior Kathryn Nelson, a field hockey standout, is athletic, defensive-minded and sharp from beyond the 3-point arc.

When Shrewsbury needs interior scoring and aggressive defense, it turns to junior center Kelly McKenna. McKenna, who scores 8.3 points per game, had an outstanding effort against Westboro, particularly on defense where she blocked four shots in the first four minutes. She is supported in the paint by junior Lindsi Panarelli, sophomore Bridget Halley and seniors Jillian Zingarelli and Jennifer Schumaker.

Sophomore center Kelsey Giedymin has boosted the Colonials' perimeter game. Giedymin came off the bench to nail two treys against the Rangers. Other contributors include sophomore guard Maura Fox, junior forward Jenna Tonelli and junior guard Taylor Lincoln. Largess' second assistant coach is Sarah Schmidt.

"It's been a fun season, and hopefully by districts, we'll be at the top of our game," Largess said. "The goals coming in were to win 10 games, and also win the league championship. Our next goal is to win districts."

Balance lifts Raiders

A continuing theme on the Athol girls' basketball scene is old-fashioned offensive balance.

With the postseason approaching, the Red Raiders' spread-the-wealth philosophy appears to have paid off. Athol, which plays in the Western Mass.-based Franklin County League, is 16-2 overall and has a one-game lead over second-place Mahar.

"We're having a very good season," first-year Athol coach Chris Sullivan said. "Things were a bit rocky at first, but some 6-8 weeks later, everything is going really well. Our girls work hard, and they give it their very best. Everyone's happy. We're all definitely looking forward to the postseason."

Sullivan coached boys' basketball at Athol for 25 years, winning three Western Mass. championships. Coaching girls' basketball has essentially been an extension of his many days at the helm of boys' teams. Kids are still kids - young people who want to play basketball, get better and have some fun along the way.

"Having a well-rounded team has made it all the more enjoyable," Sullivan said. "There are no cliques here. Everybody enjoys each other. I'm sort of a teacher-coach out there. I try to show them things that they may not have seen before. So far, it seems to be working."

Sullivan has a good mix of youth and experience. Athol has three seniors, one junior, three sophomores and three freshmen, and all get to play. Four players have had 20-point games, with the team's leading point producer averaging between 12 and 13 points per game.

Athol has been boosted by its freshman backcourt of Caty Brighenti and Kelsey Cass. Brighenti is a point guard who can pass and shoot. Cass is a defensive stalwart. Fleet-footed junior Lauren Roberts mans the center slot. Sullivan coined her "our greyhound" and noted that rebounding and outletting the ball are two of Roberts' strengths. Six-foot senior forward Sara Newton is a solid shooter and ballhandler. Fellow senior forward Danielle Sheriden does whatever is asked, and is a lunch-pail type player, according to Sullivan.

The first substitute off the bench is freshman Rachel Sexton, a power forward with a couple of 20-point games to her credit. Senior guard Maggie Ledgard provides solid all-around play and on-court maturity. Other contributors include sophomore forward Sofia Brighenti, sophomore forward Marissa Kellner, a defensive standout referred to as "the glove," and point guard Stephanie Columbe, a sophomore. Sheriden, Newton and Ledgard are the captains.

"Our underclassmen have really stepped it up, plus we all know where each other is, or will be, on the court, and these are just some of the reasons that we've got a good team with a good record," Newton said. "But we've also got talent. I knew we'd be good because of that. I think I have a solid all-around game. I can score, but we've got a lot of girls who can score."

Basketball is Newton's main game. She is interested in attending college and has been accepted at Salem State and Western New England College. Newton is undecided about a major, though she's interested in education.

"We connect, we hang out and I think we're all very happy with the season so far," Sheriden said. "Even though we have a good record and don't really have any weaknesses, I think we can play better. The keys for us are to stay intense, keep our heads in the games, and just play smart basketball."

Sheriden plans on attending Pine Manor College, where she'll play softball (shortstop). She is interested in sports management and sports medicine.

She'll just charge it

Basketball may be a game of redundant stats, but a number posted by Wachusett Regional sophomore guard Jess Auger bears repeating. Auger, just 5-foot-2, has taken 24 charges in 18 games. This includes three against Fitchburg last Friday and two versus St. Peter-Marian Tuesday. Mountaineers coach Peter Bogren noted that Auger is absolutely the "toughest player" he has ever coached. He added that Auger loves to play. She sports a solid all-around game and is a threat offensively, particularly from the perimeter.

NAME: SHREWSBURY HIGH SCHOOL; ATHOL HIGH SCHOOL; WACHUSETT REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL