By Christopher Tremblay, Staff Sports Writer 

Last winter, the Tri-Country girls’ basketball team finished third in the Mayflower League Large Division and was able to advance into the Division 4 State Tournament, where unfortunately the Cougars fell to Lunenberg 49-31 in the first round. 

From that squad, the Franklin vocational school graduated its best scorer and top defender but returns a solid group of girls to this year’s team. Amongst the mix of players coming back, TC will have three sophomores, all who saw starting time on the court last season. With a year under their belts, Coach Stephanie Caffrey is looking for them to use that experience and take the next step forward. 

The Cougars will be led this winter by third year varsity athlete and senior shooting guard Jolee Tofani and senior guard/forward Matilda Keating, who will bring a quickness to play up top on the wing defensively. Junior Ava Gill, who will be beginning her third year on the squad, will be looked upon as the Cougars “Big,” despite only being 5’10.”

According to the Coach Gill, a board monster, will play underneath and down low looking to continue with her rebounding prowess, while also directing the team’s defensive play.

This year, the Cougars are rather guard heavy, and Caffrey is hoping to use their quickness to their advantage this season. Two juniors who played the majority of the year on junior varsity team but did see some minutes with the varsity team will be looked upon to bring that quickness to the team. Becca Paul and Reina Batista, two guards who both who can knock down the three while also going into the paint to score as well. 

“When they got their opportunity with the varsity team last year, they both always gave 100% whether they got time at the end of the game or saw minutes here and there,” Caffrey said. “Hopefully they can take that experience and find a way on to the team and help us be successful.”

The three sophomores, Kerin Conolly, Nelia Schweitzer and Leah Hull, proved well as starters for Caffrey during the season. 

Conolly ran the point and was not afraid to pull up and take a three-point shot. Defensively, the coach sees her as an important cog in the wheel.

“She has absolutely no problem going up against the other team’s best player and preventing them from scoring,” the TC Coach said. “She also like to push the ball up court and start our fast break.”

Schweitzer will see time at both guard and forward. She is one of the most knowledgeable athletes on the team in regard to the game. She will battle down low but will also be looked upon to put the ball into the net. Last winter, she averaged 6 points per game, but on other nights could add double figure scoring. Caffrey will be looking for her to take the ballot the net this year and increase her scoring.

Hull is a super quick guard with long arms that allow her to reach in and make many steals; she will also be relied upon battling down low for the Cougars this season. 

“Leah creates her own offense, but has been hesitant about leading the break,” the Coach said, “I’ll be looking for her to take charge and do more of this.”

In addition to the underclassmen, Kailyn Appolon can be yet another decent guard for the Cougars this winter. The senior has a great shot and is probably the quickest on the team, but unfortunately she can be too quick at times for her own good.

“We’ve been working on a lot of fast break drills trying to get her to learn to catch the ball first instead of going,” Caffrey said. “She needs to learn how to dribble the ball out in front of her instead of on the side, this will help her to be in control.”

Caffrey noted the Tri-County revved up their fast break last season, so she wants to be able to continue that this year. If they can continue to get out of their side of the court with quickness, she is hoping that it can help their scoring.

“Our biggest issue is trying to figure out how to score,” she said. “We have been able to take the shots and have seen the open looks. Unfortunately, we can not get the ball to find the basket.”

If the Cougars are able to adjust and get their shots to fall, Caffrey sees the team getting back to the State Tournament. 

“We want to get back and win a playoff game,” the Coach said. “Being a vocational school, it is difficult to compete on this level, but I feel after getting here last year and getting the experience, it’s a good thing for the team.”

The TC Coach is hoping that the experience will help the girls, not only during the regular season, but in the tournament this upcoming year.”