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Girls Basketball Looks Ahead

After a tough start in the beginning of the season, the Woodland Girls Basketball team has finally begun to find their rhythm.

For the Hawks earlier this season, winning seemed to be a difficult obstacle. Four losses and just one win were difficult to overcome. But as time has continued on, the girls have recently become unstoppable. The conditioning and intense practices are quickly beginning to pay off.

Using their drills and scrimmages to increase their skill levels, the Hawks have set their hopes high for the rest of the basketball season.

“Our goals for this season are to have a winning record,” said senior captain point guard Alma Rizvani, “and we’d like to make it to both the NVL and state tournaments.”

Even though the Hawks remain one of the smaller teams in the NVL, the girls have an incredible ability to work with each other’s talents.

Using her height to her advantage, junior captain Andrea Piccolo starts Varsity as the leading center for the Hawks. Creating multiple scoring opportunities, Rizvani has helped the team to victory numerous times. Senior Nicole Fowler, guard, has become one of the most competitive players in the NVL. Liz Martin, senior captain, and juniors Brianna Pacileo Hannah Deegan, and Ashley Mitche are the three starting forwards for this team using their skills to both offend and defend.

Together, the Hawks are using their zone defense and accuracy of their guard’s shots to better themselves. However, there still are teams that will remain extremely competitive throughout the remainder of the season.

“Holy Cross, Watertown, Naugatuck, and St. Paul are going to be the most difficult games,” said Rizvani.

Although these teams may be difficult to defeat, as time goes on the obstacle becomes even simpler.

Proving just how much the team has grown in the past couple of weeks, the Woodland Hawks were defeated by the Wolcott Eagles on December 5, 2012 by a score 52-43. Although they were upset by the Eagles the first time, the second time the Hawks were motivated to defeat them. In the second game, played on January 2, 2013, the Hawks were able to walk away with a win.

“Our toughest obstacle was beating Wolcott,” said senior forward captain Liz Martin, “it was a close game, but we pulled through and beat them by two points, 52-50.”

One of their strong points this season has been their coach, Jessica Moffo. Moffo, who has been head coach for two seasons now, has truly helped the team both physically and mentally.

“Coach Moffo never gives up on us and puts so much faith in us,” said Martin. “She has a lot of heart.”

Looking into the future, the Hawks hope to continue their winning streak and qualify for both tournaments. With their unique talents and supporting coach, the Lady Hawks will succeed.