Norwood Girls Hoop Captains

Since they stepped onto the court three years ago for Norwood, this year’s captains Krista Bradley, Meg Reen and Ally Copponi have been part of a Mustang team that has gone 44-21, grabbing three tournament berths with a seeding no higher than 10. Although the records have continued to improve and the seedings in the Division 2 South Tournament have dropped over the three campaigns, the trio and their teammates have not been all that successful. Norwood has found themselves pretty much on the losing end all three years.
As freshman, the trio was knocked off by Sharon 47-45 in the first round, the following year it was Hingham sending them home 53-50. Last winter, the Mustangs were able to get by Hingham in the first round with a 43-40 win, but fell to Randolph in yet another close tournament game 64-60 in the Quarter Finals. The trio would like nothing more than to eclipse last year’s performance and leave the Norwood program in good shape for the younger girls moving their way up.
While the Mustangs have been improving year by year, the squad did lose five seniors to graduation, and while that is rather the norm, three of those five were not only starters on last year’s team, but main contributors on the court.
“We lost some big time players from last year’s team,” Copponi said. “In order to be successful again this year, we’re going to have to step it up in practice and then bring that energy to the court.”
Bradley not only agreed with her tri-captain, but believes the Mustangs have the horses to do just that.
“We defiantly have some experienced players coming back this year to fill in those roles,” Bradley said. “In addition, we have a lot of younger players (three freshmen and a sophomore) who have seemed to buy into the program.”
Although the team has only been practicing for a short period of time at this writing, the younger athletes are not only working hard but trying to make a name for themselves. Surprisingly, the captains, as well as the Mustang coach, have seen potential already and believe that working with them will only make them better.
“I have been pleasantly surprised at what has come out this year,” Norwood Coach Amy Lepley said. “It’s only two days into practice but everyone has been competitive day in and day out. No one is letting up and they keep it up the entire practice.”
As the intensity is taking control of the entire team in practice, Norwood is going to have to bring it to the floor if they are to once again venture into the State Tournament. One major issue the Mustangs are going to have to overcome is height. Copponi is currently the tallest Norwood athlete at 5’10” to take the court and she knows she has an uphill battle with the other teams in the league when it comes to controlling the post and grabbing those precious rebounds.
“We’re one of the smallest teams in the Dual Valley Conference (DVC) and Ally knows she is going to have to work hard,” Lepley said. “We do have some girls who are capable of adjusting to this role and along with these three captains, who have been with the team since their freshmen year, they bring a wealth of experience to the court.”
Despite not possessing the height that some of the other girls in the league have, Copponi will be looked upon to not only be a good role model in teaching the younger girls, but one that will be able to haul down double digit rebounds for the team each and every contest.
As the Coach looks to forwards Copponi and Bradley to drive this team, subsequently it will be Reen, the team’s point guard and a Norwood 1,000 point scorer, to lead the team down the court.
“As the team’s point guard, I need to be vocal on the court," Reen said. "Last year, it was easier with the help of the seniors, but this year that role is solely mine. Losing Maura O’Neil (a big scoring threat) leaves some big shoes to fill, but I feel that I am capable of filling that role. It’s a good opportunity for me to grow some more.”
Reen, along with Copponi and Bradley, are hoping to once again run through the DVC with some positive results and venture into the Division 2 South Tournament with a handful of home games. The trio is not only hoping to leave Norwood with a feeling of success and accomplishment, but one which leaves the younger girls in a good place for the future of the program.
“The DVC is always a strong league and there is never a day off," Lepley said. "We cannot play down to anybody and I know that these three girls are going to give it everything they have."