Team looks to grow under new head coach

By Chris Villani

The Nipmuc girls’ basketball team has a strong mix of veteran leadership and talented newcomers this season, and first-year head coach Britt Kahler said her squad has the potential to make some noise this winter.

“I have a great group,” Kahler said. “I have some seniors who have played together for a while. We are kind of young in some spots, but I think we can definitely be a playoff team.”

Senior captain Maddie Fernandes started the year fast with 16 points in an early-season game.

“She has been an unbelievable leader and she is a captain who takes control before I even say anything,” Kahler said. “She pulls the group together if things aren’t going like we want them to at practice or during a game.”

Senior forward Savannah Carr, another captain, is a dual threat who can knock down shots from the outside and also score in the paint. Kahler said Carr is capable of playing a big role on offense due to her post moves and skill. Carr is strong on defense as well, and is among the team leaders in both rebounds and blocked shots.

The third senior captain, Kira DeBaggis, is another strong leader, her coach said.

“She sets the tone on both ends of the floor and is the steady force keeping our team’s intensity high,” Kahler said.

One of the younger players who is a key cog for Nipmuc is freshman Lucia Dominguez, who played for Kahler on the JV team a year ago but burst into the varsity level with 15 points in her debut this winter.

“She gets a bunch of steals, forced turnovers, rebounds, she kind of does it all for us,” Kahler said.

When it comes to setting goals this season, Kahler said it goes beyond the wins and losses.

“One of the big goals for us is building chemistry, and we are already seeing that,” she said. “We want to get along on the court and we want to be able to gel and have a successful season.”

Kahler said her players are also focusing on holding one another accountable at all times. She is hoping the culture will help the team win games.

“We have a lot to learn and it takes time, and we were plagued by illnesses early on,” Kahler said. “But I think we can be a tournament team.”