The way last season ended cut deep for the Franklin Tech girls basketball team. One game to secure a state tournament bid ended in a last second loss. But the wound healed without a scar as the Eagles prepare to embark on a new season.
The Eagles return eight players from the varsity roster from last year.
“They got varying amounts of time,” Franklin Tech coach Joe Gamache said. “Primarily our starting five last year were seniors who all graduated. The group that is returning is used to being role players. They are going to be taking on the new challenge of playing some significant minutes.”
The returners will have to make the adjustment to increased roles and expectations for the Eagles to succeed this season.
“It will be an adjustment period for us early on,” Gamache said. “They’ve been working really hard. The energy has been good. There is some talent there. It will just be interesting to see how they react to being the ones who need to score as opposed to relying on others.”
The Eagles will not look to one player in particular to shoulder the scoring load. It could be anybody on any given night.
“It’s foreseeable that we could have a different scorer every single night,” Gamache said. “I don’t know if we have someone who will average double-digit scoring.”
Senior Madyson Lynde plays the point guard for the Eagles.
“It gives me an opportunity to be a leader,” Lynde said. “Coming up the court I can see everything. I see where everyone is, I see where the defenders from the other team are coming from and where they are.”
The 47-45 loss to Duggan Academy ended Lynde’s junior season.
“It’s really heartbreaking, honestly,” Lynde said. “It was the first year of my four years at Tech that we didn’t make it to tournament. That game was make it or break it. Our season was on that game really.
Lynde, along with fellow seniors Alison George, Ariel Peters, Samantha Duncan and Lindsey Taylor, are all ready to put last season behind them. The seniors have a new job in getting some younger players ready for varsity minutes.
“Our team is really young this year,” Lynde said.”They are very excited. We are keeping them excited but keeping them locked in on the game as well. We are all excited to be back and show people what we are made of.”
The Eagles have an assortment of players with different skill sets but the team does lack size. Franklin Tech hopes to make up for the lack of size with athleticism. With their press, the Eagles hope to create offense through their defense.”
Franklin Tech finished 9-11 last season and play in the Franklin South this season. The Eagles will have games against Greenfield, Mahar, Mohawk and Pioneer Valley Regional on their schedule.
Franklin Tech opens their season against St. Mary’s at home in the Holiday Classic on Thursday, Dec. 11.