With second summer league title, South High girls' hoops shows the Colonels will pick up where they left off
AUBURN — For the record, the players on the South High girls' basketball team learned a great deal last season watching seniors Grace O'Gara and Tamia Nunes, a pair of deadeye sharpshooters who could easily knock down 25 points on a given night, do their thing.
However, O'Gara and Nunes have graduated, both moving on to Marianapolis Prep, and the time has come for the younger players to put their own stamp on the Colonels' ascending hoop program.
Based on South's efforts in local summer leagues this year, the younger Colonels athletes, along with a savvy core of returning veterans, are ready to again make their mark on Central Mass. high school hoop.
South captured its second summer league championship in two weeks Tuesday night, toppling Quabbin Regional, 48-27, in the title tilt of the Auburn Girls Summer Basketball League.
Two weeks ago, the Colonels won the Shrewsbury Girls Summer Basketball League championship with a 50-35 victory over Nashoba Regional. South went undefeated in both leagues.
The Colonels players enjoy the rigors of summer league basketball for all the right reasons. For example, they like competing alongside friends against stalwart opponents, the same friends they may have gone to the pool with earlier in the day.
The players also enjoy honing their skills in a relaxed and fun environment. Most impressively, South's hoopsters are serious about basketball, so much so that both championship games saw numerous substitute players on the sidelines, some, perhaps, willing to stash vacation plans for basketball.
The Colonels are more impressive with numerous subs walking the sidelines. Everybody plays, everybody contributes, everyone has fun. If someone drains a 3-pointer, no matter who it is, the bench erupts with cheers, smiles, and emotion-laden high-fives.
In the Shrewsbury League final, South's balanced attack was jump-started by sophomore Bryan Bascones (15 points) and freshman Ava MacCollom. Tuesday night, three players stepped up, with senior Arianna Gonzalez, sophomore Jaizzy Santiago, and junior Jaiyla Colon taking center stage. The trio combined for 33 points.
Despite aggressive defense by the Panthers, the Colonels shot and slashed their way to a 15-point lead by the intermission and maintained a double-digit lead throughout the second half.
"We have so much good chemistry on this team and that makes things easier," Gonzalez said. "We're like sisters — we stick together — on the court and off the court. But that chemistry is something else. We make the extra pass and get good shots. My teammates certainly do that with me. Your teammates can make you a better player."
On more than one occasion in the Auburn League final, Gonzalez was open on the perimeter. A teammate dribbling along the baseline or battling defenders in the paint would see Gonzalez wide open and fire her a pass. Gonzalez would then square up and drain the jumper.
"We play together all the time, and we know what to do," Gonzalez said. "Some of us have hoops at our house or we go to local gyms. But I'm just happy that we're working as a team, and not as individuals."
Junior Naima Bleou is the typical South player. Translation? Bleou brings the total package to the hardwood table, meaning she can shoot, pass, board, and defend.
"I just try to do whatever I have to in order for us to win, and I definitely enjoy playing," Bleou said. "My goal is to help my team. We have great players, and we all want to win.
"This team also has a great support system," she added. "When you're down and maybe not having your best game, it really helps knowing your teammates have your back. That's a great feeling."
Bleou is ready for the winter season and is optimistic the Colonels will do well, despite the graduation of O'Gara, Nunes and the other hard-working seniors.
"I'm very excited about the upcoming season and I'm ready for our redemption, trying to go to the Elite 8," Bleou said. "It's been a fun summer, but we know we have a lot of work to do."
"Playing in the Shrewsbury League and the Auburn League was an opportunity for us to stay together, and I feel great about that," coach Felipe Bascones said. "Winning these championships is great, but we have a bigger goal in mind, and that's to be ready for winter basketball and advance further than last year.
Coach Bascones noted that South's players will have plenty of basketball opportunities in the weeks and months ahead.
Team workouts and perhaps a small AAU circuit are likelihoods. Tournaments, too. No matter what the venue, though, the Colonels' players will be working on their conditioning and developing their skills.
—Contact Craig Holt at sports@telegram.com.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: South High girls capture another summer basketball title, topping Quabbin for Auburn championship
