North, against all odds, came out triumphant in the first game of the girls’ basketball season, securing a 62-57 victory over Framingham Friday, Dec. 13.
Although last season the team fell short against Framingham in a 59-50 contest during the first round of the MIAA tournament, the Tigers came back stronger for this game with a new roster and new determination to succeed.
When the time came for a rematch, “they weren’t afraid of the moment,” according to head coach Todd Sundstrom.
Before the season began, the team had to combat injuries and adjust to a new dynamic. Senior Devon Burke, a captain with senior Brooke Ufland and juniors Allie Danis and Nikki Rao, had to adapt coming back from a torn meniscus that kept her on the bench for most of the season prior. Danis also battled injury: a concussion she had received during tryouts, for which she was only cleared from the day before the game.
Despite these health challenges, the team “really stuck it out” in the game, said Danis. “ It shows a lot of grit.”
The team also experienced changes to its roster, as many of its former players had graduated the year before. As a result, half of this year’s team is composed of underclassmen, including two freshmen and many sophomores who had not previously played at a varsity level.
Framingham started the game strong, scoring 14 points in the first quarter. North, however, led by Rao, fought back fiercely and easily matched its opponents’ score.
Burke attributed the Tiger’s capabilities to their rigorous pre-season training. “In our first game, we usually come out a bit nervous, a bit timid,” she said, “but we have been working really hard every single day in the gym, and we just came out how we should have.”
Freshman Annabelle Wardly defined herself early in the game. Although it was her first high school game, according to Sundstrom, Wardly “did not play like a freshman at all.” Wardly ended the game with eight points, including two successful three-point shots.
Despite this effort, North trailed 28-32 at the half.
The tide turned in favor of the Tigers in the third quarter when two Framingham players fouled out of the game. “At that point,” said Burke, “we kind of just knew we had it from there.”
As the game progressed, Rao became increasingly dominant. The peak of her success occurred in the last four minutes of the game, when she hit two consecutive three-pointers and a layup. In total, Rao scored a whopping 30 points. Rao also pulled down seven rebounds as Framingham’s shooting accuracy declined, allowing the Tigers to pull away with the win.
North, 1-0, will face off against Wellesley away Tuesday, Dec. 17.
“I think it was that typical kind of ugly first game in a lot of ways, so I don’t want to get too high on this win, but it is a nice one,” said Sundstrom.
