Coach Storm’s EMass Top 30
Written by Tom Hellen
Somerville, MA – Random Rim Ramblings – Sorry that game scores get in the papers backwards with the winner listed as the loser sometimes…apologies to Cohasset as they actually beat Abington and did not lose to them…if you are aware of any changes due to incorrect scores hitting the papers, please e-mail me beforehand so that I list all teams records as correctly as possible…If you know of any re-scheduled games with dates and times due to all the games canceled due to recent snow, please let us know…Props to our friends at Babson College as their women’s team has now climbed to #5 in the country for D3 schools with their undefeated record of 18 and 0…the Beavers got to the elite 8 last year and have a possible shot at the Final 4 if they continue playing this well…tons of local kids too…Kathleen King from Framingham, Nikki Wurdeman from Triton, Sarah Collins from Weymouth, Becky Bowman from AC, Alannah Wynn from Milton Academy, Rena Mallios from Winthrop and more…great job girls! Hope the King Philip folks do their website again with projected state tourney seedings…what a valuable tool that is to see who is in and who’s out plus projecting who might play each other. A high seed means possibly 2 home games and that is huge especially in D1 South this year.
Below is my latest version of the Top 30 and teams on the cusp. The UC lost a few members as AB (to Newton South), Braintree (to Newton North), and Wareham (to ORR) lost for the 1st time…UC down to 8 teams…Andover, Franklin, Mansfield, Medfield, New Bedford, Newton South, Reading, and Revere remain unbeaten…Mansfield plays Franklin soon so we’ll lose one of those two teams also…then who knows if the others can run the table or not…The Storm Stigma had no impact on Duxbury, Medway, Falmouth or Abington as they all have done real well since my last posting…found some new teams this time as I am now including Quincy in the Top 30 as they are 11 and 2 and beat Duxbury who beat Scituate so how do I leave them out?…hate when I miss a club…added Medford also as they are 9 and 2 but wish they had a good power win…then I put Weston, Brookline and Holliston “On the Cusp” so look for these 5 teams to maybe get “Storm Stigma’d”…LOL.
I want to again thank my guy, Guerman Khotline…brilliant “IT” guy that “non-techies” like me can’t live without…for his help with our website this year. The “G-Man” is a definite “TRD”…The Real Deal!
I hope you enjoy the rankings shown below and again always feel to e-mail me at coachstorm5@comcast.net with any comments or to alert me to teams I am missing the boat on…injuries I am not aware of…players I should follow…anything you feel is valid to make this a more accurate listing.
Top 30 Rankings with their Last Record
Now Last Rank
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#1. #1.
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Andover (D1 N) – 14 – 0 – Okay nine 3’s again is just sick but Nicole Boudreau is an amazing shooter as Billerica found out early and often losing to the Warriors by 25…the team had 15 in that one…then they score 43 points in the 1st quarter against Methuen…some teams don’t AVERAGE that for a game!...and hit 15 more 3’s in that game…and their best strength might be their “man” defense…unreal….blew out NDA of Hingham in their gym to end that jinx…now hosting Lowell and off to Central Catholic the following Monday in what could be a beauty. |
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#2. #2. |
Central Catholic (D1 N) – 11 – 2 Super power win blowing out St. Mary’s by 19 at home…then bopping Cambridge by a8 also at home… hope they hold serve until the 3rd try to beat Andover at Central on 2/7…that would then shape up to be the game of the year to this point. |
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#3. #3. |
Newton South (D1 S) 13 – 0 – Lions on a mission and scoring is very similar to Andover as they are averaging 69 a game…how about Sophie Bikofsky and Kendall Burton both getting their 1,000th career point within 30 seconds of each other?...Lions will be favored to win the rest but AB and L-S on the road will be brutal battles…that would set up a real nice Comcast Tourney where you hope they might meet Central in the finals…hmmm. |
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#4. #4. |
New Bedford (D1 S) – 15 – 0 Whalers matching last year’s streak of going unbeaten deep into the year…almost got caught as they just edged Durfee on the road in double OT and it took a “3” at the buzzer in regulation to tie the game…then squeaked by tough Duxbury winning by 4…still have , Brockton and Taunton plus they host RI power LaSalle Academy (11 and 2 now), Barnstable, and Durfee again so if they stay in the UC, they will have earned it. |
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#5. #5. |
Franklin (D1 S) – 12 – 0 Playing tough but the remaining schedule will be tougher as two tilts left with Mansfield, North Attleboro and then end with the Westboro Tourney that always features the CMass powers…hmmm…can they stay in the UC?? |
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#6. #6. |
Reading – (D2 N) -- 14 – 0 Team has more than passed all the tests so far and road game at defensive minded Woburn on 2/11 will be a grinder plus Stoneham at home will be no picnic…could the Rockets run the table and get the top seed in D2 North and stay in the UC? |
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#7. #7. |
Mansfield (D1 S) – 13 – 0 Super season continues but the serious stuff starts this week with a road trip to North Attleboro and they just edged them by 2 earlier this year then add in 2 with Franklin and a road trip to Scituate…Dartmouth at home and the Roundball Tourney…tough sledding to stay in the UC folks. |
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#8. #10. |
Wellesley (D1 S) – 11 – 1 W after W here but they end the season with 8 away games and only 1 home tilt…huge week coming as they hit the road to Braintree and Newton North…club needs to keep that record gaudy as state tourney seeding in D1 South will be huge…home games will be worth their weight in gold. |
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#9. #11. |
Revere (D1 N) – 12 – 0 Patriots pounding people still and now they get to travel to face an angry and talented Danvers troop who got upset by Salem last week…Lynn English is back on track and that road game on 2/8 will be huge for both clubs…can they stay in the UC?....time will tell. |
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#10. #8. |
Acton Boxborough (D1 N) -- 11 – 1 Newton South burst their UC status but it was at their gym so they get them at home next time. Should win 2 this week but then the dreaded closing stretch…hosting Newton South and L-S but road trips to Westford and Holy Name plus the new Westford Tourney where they get the top team in CMass in Wachusett…whoa doctor. |
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#11. Missed |
Quincy (D1 S) – 11 – 2 Okay another miss on this club but with this record and they beat Duxbury by 19 and Duxbury beat Scituate so now I slot them right in a row…does the Storm Stigma await them now?? |
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#12. #12. |
Duxbury (D2 S) – 10 – 3 Possible Storm Stigma problem as I list them and then Quincy bops them by 19…then they get edged by only 4 by unbeaten New Bedford at home so club gave the #4 team all it could handle. |
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#13. #13. |
Scituate (D2 S) – 11 – 1 Back on track defensively and winning…will be favored to win 2 then hit #7 Mansfield at 3:30 at Emmanuel…great power game for both clubs. |
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#14. #14. |
Norwell (D3 S) – 15 – 1 Season of all seasons here and Diggins keeps her “double - double” streak alive as she has 15 straight games with double figure points and rebounds…hosting Hull Friday…then Cohasset on 2/8 should generate a huge crowd at home for that one. |
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#15. #16. |
Coyle Cassidy (D3 S) – 12 – 2 – Road trip to talented Feehan was not fun as they lost by 4 but got back on track right away smashing Somerset…then taming the Taunton Tigers… |
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#16. #17. |
Pentucket (D3 N) – 12 – 1 All’s well here as they smoked some clubs and also beat NDA at home by 12…soon they have to travel a LONG way on Saturday 2/12 to play in that tough gym…then the Westford Tourney where they play the hosts and then either AB or Wachusett….excellent challenges to get state tourney ready…hmmm. |
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#17. #18. |
Medfield (D2 S) – 12 – 0 Club has 5 of last 8 games on the road including Ashland, Holliston and Westwood so no easy task but will be good prep for the state tourney tilts on the horizon. |
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#18. #19. |
Braintree (D1 S) -- 12 – 1 Bumped from the UC by revenge minded Newton North but Wamps need to regain their focus with Wellesley at home then road trips to Natick and surprising Brookline coming up. |
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#19. #20. |
Archbishop Williams (D3 S) – 10 – 2 – Got the payback they wanted whuppin’ AC by 10 at home…road trip to super tough St. Mary’s on Friday will be another chance to test the “Home Court League”…the HCL for short…syndrome here in the CCL. |
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#20. #21. |
Natick (D2 S) – 11 – 2 – Big week here for club that is new to this level of success as they travel to Brookline then host Braintree…can this team contend in D2 South?...me thinks so…a real good seed will be important as home games will be crucial. |
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#21. #24. |
Arlington Catholic (D2 N) – 10 – 4 Cougar cubs still maturing as loss at the Archies shows more growth is needed…then bang…huge home win (yep that HCL thing again) routing St. Mary’s by 24…still like to see that real good road win to prove they have grown to another level…but watching them last night shows they’ve come a long, long way. |
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#22. #9. |
St. Mary’s of Lynn (D3 N) – 13 – 3 Club had a chance to make a serious statement when they travelled to #2 Central Catholic but instead got zapped by 19…then got hit with the old “HCL” getting blasted by 24 at AC…now they host (key word in the HCL) the Archies this week and that might tell us if the return to the drawing board works or not….club is too talented not to get back on track. |
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#23. Cusp |
Woburn (D1 N) – 13 – 1 Defense continues air tight and this may be their 1st trip into the Top 30 in years…need to keep this excellent record for seeding purposes so the return tilts with Reading and Stoneham on 2/11 and 2/15 will be critical… |
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#24. #23. |
Stoneham (D3 N) -- 11 – 2 – Will be favored to win their next 4 but that’s on paper and paper never won a game…LOL…nice if they did win those 4 as it would set up nicely the final 2 when they host Woburn and travel to Reading with a slight chance at the ML title if they sweep those 2. |
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#25. #28.
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Cohasset (D4 S) -- 13 – 1 Won 5 straight after 2 point loss to Norwell including a blasting of a solid Newburyport crew by 34 so club looking good…got a feeling they all have circled on their calendars that 2/11 date when they have the return match at Norwell…hmmm. |
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#26. #25. |
Wareham (D3 S) – 13 – 1 Okay the UC bubble burst with heartbreaking 2 point loss to ORR but this club got right back in the saddle with solid 23 point road win at Bourne…next big exam comes when they travel to Fairhaven on 2/15. |
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#27. #27.
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Masconomet (D1 N) – 9 – 3 Did what they had to do with 2 big margin wins and should do the same Tuesday but at North Reading Friday will be no picnic then hosting Danvers on Super Bowl Sunday will be very interesting for both clubs… |
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#28. #22. |
Newton North (D1 S) 8 – 4 – Yea I know…what’s he keep this crew in the rankings for?...well club keeps hanging in without Briana Hunt since game 1…she has been cleared for full practice and hopes to play Tuesday against Dedham…team’s record without their best outside shooter and arguably their best player is still solid…hope the kid is back to 100% as that would set up a beauty Friday when they host Wellesley…hmmm. |
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#29. Cusp |
North Attleboro (D1 S) – 9 – 4 D1 South sleeper is what this club is…Jill Cullen can shoot the rock and you need to be ready to play them or you lose…hosting Mansfield Tuesday in a great chance for a “power” win…only lost to Mansfield by 2 on the road earlier…other losses to Feehan, and unbeaten Franklin by 12 and Sharon by 25…still trying to figure that Sharon loss out…was someone hurt?... I know they can lose but by 25? |
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#30. #15. |
Cardinal Spellman (D3 S) – 7 – 4 Heard Udoji’s knee issues have been acting up causing her to be out for a while plus Anderson was sick and also missed the AP game they lost…another story where 2 stars are out and club loses a few games…health is such a key issue this season and every season for that matter…also heard Udoji cleared to play again so let’s see where they go from here especially hosting AC Friday. |
“On the Cusp”
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Marshfield (D1 S) 10 – 3 – Road trip down to the Cape was not fun losing to Falmouth by 4 so club needs to get back on track in a hurry hosting Plymouth South and Fontbonne this week. |
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Falmouth (D1 S) – 10 – 3 Got nice payback home win over tough Marshfield club but got smoked by them earlier so still gotta’ keep Marshfield a notch above them… |
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Danvers (D2 N) – 10 – 2 Girls here seem to have a tendency to overlook teams they are favored to beat…didn’t learn after Beverly loss that you have to be ready every game especially on the road as trip to Salem ended up in an 11 point beating…I’m sure they won’t have this issue when hosting Revere Tuesday in a real good one. |
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Billerica (D1 N) 9 – 3 Okay what’s that saying?...”water finds its own level?”…that’s what’s happening here as they lose to Andover by 25 after loss to Central Catholic by 22…good club but needs to get tougher in the big games and they still have some power games left including rematches with the MVC iron and a road trip to Cambridge. |
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Lincoln-Sudbury (D1 N) – 8 – 4 Okay 3 straight wins may mean they have ironed out the issues here and we’ll know how the ironing worked as they travel to Westford and host Newton South this week. |
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Gloucester (D2 N) – 10 – 4 More chances for a good power win but lost to Lynn English at home so they stay in this level here. |
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Taunton (D1 S) – 9 – 5 Ditto here as they had some good opportunities to show a nice power win but came up short against Coyle once again losing by 10…remember…the results do the talking for everyone. |
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Oliver ames (D2 S) – 8 – 5 Young kids “get it” at different stages and points in time…this group will eventually “get it” but not there yet…could win next 4 though Foxboro on the road will be tough. |
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Foxborough (D2 S) – 7 – 6 – Their season runs right in line with our weather…lately the weather has been terrible and so has Foxboro losing 4 of 5… |
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Westford (D1 N) 8 – 4 – Club continues to improve and grow and nice test hosting L-S this week…they beat them earlier at L-S so you know L-S wants this one bad. |
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Bishop Feehan (D2 S) – 8 – 4 Team seems to have put it together with 4 straight wins and road trip to struggling Durfee will be a nice test to see if they can keep it going. |
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Cambridge (D1 N) – 6 – 4 Falcons got some rough treatment playing at Central Catholic losing by 18 but plenty of good challenges left to make some hay and maybe get ranked by yearend…if they win a lot of them that is… |
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New Mission (D4 N) – 6 – 1 Rarely ever see their scores so not sure what the record is and hope to find out when they travel to Somerville on 2/7 so that will be interesting.… |
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Fairhaven (D3 S) – 10 – 4 – Solid team…solid record…need to see a few more solid wins against the likes of Wareham, Dartmouth, ORR and the last game at Abington. |
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Silver Lake (D2 S) – 9 – 3 So their 3 losses are to ranked teams…Scituate, Duxbury, and Quincy…they get a chance for revenge Friday hosting Duxbury…hmmm. |
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Brookline (D1 S) – 7 – 5 Team seems to win one…lose one…win one…lose one but they did beat Newton North and Needham so let’s give them a shot as they are also 2 games above .500. |
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Lowell (D1 N) – 7 – 4 Club loses to Central Catholic by 19 and still has 2 with Billerica, at Andover and at Cambridge…tough road to hoe down the stretch here. |
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North Andover (D2 N) 9 – 3 – Six straight wins has them on a real nice run…at Ipswich Tuesday will be a good one for both clubs. |
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Medford (D1 N) – 9 – 2 Mustangs playing with heart and passion plus Tania Holmes got game… down 9 at Cambridge at the half and yet turn up the heat and win by 8…props to Coach Leo Burke for turning this program around in only his 2nd year there but still like to see a good power win like Cambridge at full strength…hmmm. |
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Ipswich (D3 N) – 9 – 2 Nice stretch of good games hosting North Andover then road trips to Newburyport and Wilmington…plus a make-up tilt against Masco at home so let’s see how they respond… |
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Lynn English (D1 N) – 7 – 6 Got on a nice run winning 4 straight including beating Gloucester on the road so they are back in print…on 2/8 they host Revere so we’ll see how far they have made it back. |
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Medway (D3 S) – 10 – 3 – Oaky they have 3 losses and 2 to unbeaten and ranked Medfield…not sure what happened at home when they lost to Norton…interesting…that’s why you play the games folks. |
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Old Rochester (D3 S) – 7 – 4 – Knocked Wareham from the UC beating them by 2 at home after losing to Wareham by 31 on the road…let’s see if this springboards them to more “W’s” down the stretch. |
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Holliston (D2 S) – 8 – 3 – With nice 4 game win streak and by beating Hopkinton on the road I have to give them some ink here and an 8 and 3 record also deserves the press. |
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Hopkinton (D2 S) – 8 – 3 Had their own 4 game win streak snapped by Holliston hence they end up one notch below them. |
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North Reading (D3 N) 8 – 3 – Trifecta didn’t start to well losing to Newburyport. Now they get a super tough closing stretch as still have games with North Andover, Wilmington, Masco, Pentucket, and Ipswich mixed in with some others.…hmmm. |
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Abington (D3 S) – 9 – 6 Club’s schedule is real tough as 5 of 6 losses to Top 30 clubs and still get to battle Hull, Cohasset, Coyle and Fairhaven down the stretch…and only Fairhaven is a home game…let’s see what they are made of with these tests. |
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Weston (D3 N) – 8 – 6 They have quietly been solid all year so let’s get them on the board and see how the rest of the year flows… |
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Needham (D1 S) – 8 – 6 Rockets didn’t fare well losing to Braintree, Brookline, and Newton North…but did have some injury/sickness issues with 3 starters so let’s see where they go from here on. |
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Ashland (D3 S) – 8 – 5 – Up and down results mentioned before still happening as 2 game loss streak became 3 and now they have won 3 straight…you figure them out…LOL. |
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Canton (D3 S) – 7 – 5 Appear to be a middle of the pack club in the really tough Hock and no shame in that…at Foxboro Friday in a nice test to see if they can move up a rung or two. |
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Dartmouth (D1 S) – 5 – 5 Hangin’ in here by a thread but I like them to win 2 this week but then road trips the following week to Brockton and Taunton will be tough. |
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Wilmington (D2 N) – 6 – 5 Another barely hanging on but I like them also to win 2 this week and they need it with a closing stretch that includes Ipswich, North Andover, Masco, Fenwick, North Reading, and Gloucester in the St. Mary’s Tourney…chance to make some hay or maybe go away. |
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Best of luck to all athletes this winter!!
I probably should have listed the former high school’s of all these kids so I will do that this week and also how the Class of 2010 is doing in college:
Keisha Jean-Louis – Somerville - Roxbury Community College JUCO – Team is 11 and 1 but no stats are listed on their website. Miesha Reynolds and Niesha Kelly from New Mission are also playing for RCC. Cassie Liston – Stoneham – Framingham State D3 – She’s playing 21 minutes a night and scoring about 5 PPG. Liz Newman – L-S – Haverford D3 – Decided to play only soccer there. Amy Fahey – Wilmington – Fitchburg State D3 – She plays about 20 minutes a game and scores over 9 PPG and leads the team in steals. Liz Daley – Sharon – Emmanuel D3 – She plays a little over 10 minutes a game and scores about 4 PPG. Janelle Rodriguez – Peabody - Brandeis D3 – She’s playing over 13 minutes per game and scoring 4.3 PPG. Aly Boyle – Westford – Conn. College D3 – Has started 10 of the 16 games to date playing over 14 minutes per game and scoring 4.3 PPG. Amy Connolly – Fontbonne – Framingham State D3 – Plays over 26 minutes a game and scores 9.2 PPG. Erika Bornemann – Canton – Umass Dartmouth D3 – Has started all 20 games and leads the team in scoring (12.4 PPG), rebounding and blocked shots. She is playing 32 minutes a game. Cara Paladino – AC - St. Anselms D2 – She has played in 1 game to date.
Gotta' run folks…Remember…“No ability without eligibility!”…and…“The ball stops bouncing for everyone at some point but a college degree lasts forever!” |