Who is the current girls basketball Player of the Year?
Josh Perry, HockomockSports.com: Caitlin Abela, Oliver Ames - Similar to Brendan Hill at Mansfield, Abela is the best player on the best team and is the focal point of everything that the Tigers do on offense. Abela has always been a solid shooter, but has added an off-the-dribble game, which has taken her scoring to the next level. She can draw big defenders away from the basket and take smaller opponents down to the post, as well as being a solid passer in transition and in the half-court.
Ryan Lanigan, HockomockSports.com: Oliver Ames’s Caitlin Abela has been a star and helped lead her team to a perfect 11-0 mark. North Attleboro’s Meg Ronaghan has been another name that could be considered, but Abela has outplayed everyone at this point. The Sacred Heart-commit has altered games with her presence in the paint but don’t think that she can’t bring it out and beat you from outside as well.
Which Hockomock team has been the surprise team of the year?
Perry: Attleboro Bombardiers - When star player Bri Hochwarter was potentially lost for the season to another knee injury, it seemed like that would be the end of the Lady Bombardiers postseason hopes. Instead, the team has rallied behind players that gained valuable experience last season and newcomers Kim Runey and Emily Houle. Attleboro is currently 9-5 and needs three more wins to qualify for the postseason. The Bombardiers face a tough schedule for the rest of the season, but there is a confidence about the program that wasn't there just a few season ago.
Lanigan: Foxboro has already doubled their win total from last year and it’s in large part due to Ashley Snyder. The senior has a knack for scoring and it’s rare that anyone will question her toughness. The Warriors won’t have an easy road to start the second half of the season, but have the chance to pick up more quality wins with Sharon, Stoughton, and North Attleboro left on the schedule.
Hock 5 First Team
Perry:
F- Caitlin Abela, Oliver Ames
F- Ashley Snyder, Foxboro
F- Karlie O'Driscoll, Sharon
C- Nicole Daniels, Stoughton
F- Meg Ronaghan, North Attleboro
Lanigan:
F – Caitlin Abela, Oliver Ames
F – Meg Ronaghan, North Attleboro
F – Ashley Snyder, Foxboro
F – Karlie O’Driscoll, Sharon
C – Nicole Daniels, Stoughton
Which player has surprised you this season?
Perry: This a tie between North Attleboro's two sophomore starters, guard Danielle Perron and forward Melissa Beaupre. Everyone knew that Ronaghan would be a star for the Rocketeers, but the question marks lay with the supporting cast. Perron has done an admirable job providing the ballhandling and composure that was lost with the graduation of Jill Cullen. Beaupre has provided energy and rebounding to keep defenses honest on Ronaghan. The pair of sophomores are a big reason why the Rocketeers are on top in the Kelley-Rex division.
At this point, which team will be going the furthest in the tournament?
Perry: Oliver Ames should be considered, at least, one of the the favorites in D2 South and looks likely to be the Hockomock team that has the best chance to bring home some silverware this winter. The combination of Abela and Asia Mitchell along with solid role players such as Kristin Ellis gives OA balance on both offense and defense, which should be a recipe for success in the postseason.
Lanigan: The Lady Tigers at Oliver Ames have continued to improve which is a scary thought for other teams in Division II. Abela has played very well, Asia Mitchell has emerged as a top guard in the league, and the supporting cast has continued to get better and better as the season progresses. They should be able to make a deep run into the playoffs on the backs of Abela and Mitchelle while others play key rolls along the way.
Which team is going to surprise people in the second half of the season?
Perry: In the preseason, a lot was expected of Sharon, but after a 3-3 start doubts started to creep in about how good the Eagles really were. Those three losses were by a combined 11 points, including 2-point losses to both division leaders. I think that Sharon is poised for a very strong second half and will be right back into the consideration as one of the best teams in the league. The Eagles rematch with OA on February 12th is already circled on the calendar.
Lanigan: It might not exactly be a surprise based on their capabilities, but Sharon is due to have a better second half than they did the first half. That’s saying a lot considering they went 7-3 in their first 10 games. Karlie O’Driscoll is a dangerous player, while a player like Katie Lowerre can easily take over a game herself.