The joy of
teamwork
Winter Sports 2024
- Upper School
- Middle School
Upper School
girls varsity basketball
The Girls Varsity Basketball team finished the regular season with a 12-4 record this year. With seven new players on the roster, including two eighth graders, the team was able to compete at a high level and earn a #1 spot in the New England Class D tournament for the second year in a row. All fifteen players have improved and developed their skills and confidence since the start of the season. We are looking forward to finishing out the season strong!
FROM THE CAPTAINS
Kendall R. ’24
Coach Alferi brings the energy to every practice, game, and anything in between. She is our hype woman, the person we can rely on to get our positivity and energy levels up. Her constant effort in practice makes us better players physically and mentally. You can ask anyone and they will tell you that no one wants to guard her when we’re practicing defense. Thank you Coach for pushing us to be the best we can be and making sure we are having fun while doing it!
Jamella W. ’24
We have had the pleasure and opportunity of having 18 players. With this came new talent, support, and fun that just added to an already exceptional team. That being said, this season has just shown how well we work together through both high’s and lows. No matter how big or small the problem or victory, being together and working as a family was always what we strived for and I am proud to say we embody just that.
Eva G. ’25
We express our heartfelt gratitude for Coach Baisden's dedication, encouragement, and leadership throughout the season. Her unwavering support and passion for the game have inspired us to be our best both on and off the court. Thank you, Coach, for being more than just a coach – you're a true inspiration to us all.
Maryam H. ’24
For the past three seasons of my high school basketball career, Coach Chris has been the one to reassure players that our effort and hard work matters and makes a difference on the team, whether praised or gone unrecognized. Coach Chris continues to reel in young and incoming players, breaking the ice, building trust, and exposing them to all things basketball. As a senior, I am extremely grateful to have had a coach such as Coach Chris. I’ll always remember Sophomore year when I had first met coach; having not played basketball for over a year due to the shut down of sports from Covid-19, my shooting form needed work, which was exactly the first thing he assisted me with. Thank you, Coach Chris, for all you have done and continue to do for Watkinson Girls Varsity Basketball, I am forever grateful.
girls varsity basketball
most valuable player
EVA G. ’25
Eva is a three-year starter and two year captain for our team. Her ability to score at will and run our offense has helped our team a lot this season. She averaged about 23 points and 5 assists this season, but more importantly, she was a great teammate to our 7 newcomers on the team. She scored her 1000th career point in her junior season, which is a huge testament to all of her hard work!
girls varsity basketball
most improved player
JAMELLA W. ’24
Jamella has stepped up as a captain for us this season, leading by example. Her effort and energy are contagious and she competes at a high level despite the opponent or the score. She’s improved immensely on her footwork and on her ability to finish around the rim against defenders that are usually taller than her. She continues to be one the best rebounders by far in our our class and we are so proud of her growth!
girls varsity BASKETBALL
MCDONALD SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
MARYAM H. ’24
Maryam brings an exceptional amount of energy to every practice and game as a three year captain. She’s always willing to play in any position necessary or help out a teammate, showing her dedication to the team. She encourages her teammates, both on and off of the court, and her presence keeps us all unified and focused. Maryam has represented the girls varsity basketball program in the best way and we will miss her!
girls varsity BASKETBALL
COACHES AWARD
KENDALL R. ’24
Kendall has prioritized being a leader for our team as a captain since sophomore year. Kendall balances being a key player on our team and helping her younger teammates very well, making her any coach’s ideal student athlete. We can count on Kendall to do exactly what we need her to, every practice and every game. Kendall has stepped up for us in big games and we appreciate all of her hard work!
BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL
WHATEVER IT TAKES & CHAMPIONS DO EXTRA. Two phrases that our team held close to our hearts and summarized our season. We all committed to doing whatever was needed to help our team win, regardless if it was the role we wanted. We always prioritized team success over individual success.
If you watched our team play, you observed a team that is connected, relentless on defense, and unselfish and confident on offense. You would have seen huddles, a lot of huddles...and teammates on the bench cheering, clapping, and yelling encouraging words. And if a teammate fell over…teammates sprinted to help them up. You would have seen a coaching staff united and committed to finding ways to help our team win. This team has truly built a championship culture and it was an honor and privilege to coach this team. #SmileBattle
boys varsity basketball
most valuable player
JEREMIAH J-S. ’25
Jeremiah is a vocal leader that provides positive reinforcement for his teammates and helps guys be in the right position. He’s tasked with bringing the ball up and handling pressure, connecting the defense, and does it all with a smile on his face. His court speed and quickness has developed many offensive plays and defensive stops. The unprecedented success of the team this year is not possible without JJ and he is at the heart of many memories the team will share forever. #WhateverItTakes
ELI L. '24
Eli can score from anywhere on the court. He has an extremely strong work ethic and it is rewarding to see it pay off in the games. He made big shots at crucial times in many games that helped contribute to victories. Our coaches are most proud of Eli’s willingness to take ownership of being a big culture guy and finding ways to uplift his teammates. #WhateverItTakes
boys varsity BASKETBALL
most IMPROVED player
JAMES D. ’24
James loves to compete and does it with a smile on his face. He is a key rebounder offensively and defensively. His strong drives to the basket have resulted in many easy scoring opportunities. James worked very hard during the off-season and that extra effort has paid off so far this season. #WhateverItTakes
boys varsity BASKETBALL
COACHES AWARD
OSCAR L. '24
Oscar is the glue that keeps all the players together. He is an extension of the coaching staff and makes sure everyone is on the same page. Oscar is a very good player at both ends of the court and his dedication to working on his game has paid off. He is an excellent teammate, player, and person. #WhateverItTakes
boys varsity BASKETBALL
MCDONALD SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
QUINCY G. ’24
Quincy is the type of player any coach would want to have on their team. His growth mindset has allowed him to improve immensely this season. He plays the game with intensity, is always under control, and remains positive and locked in during moments of adversity. Quincy is a great player and an even greater person. #WhateverItTakes
VARSITY FENCING
SEASON RECAP TO COME.
boys varsity FENCING
MOST VALUABLE FENCER AWARD
CHARLES T. ’25
Charles came to the season after three years of Fall fencing. He took on a leadership role early as co-team captain, leading warmups and helping other fencers work on some of his skills. Charles has a competitive spirit, and is never discouraged in a match. Setbacks make him fight harder. He routinely fenced and held his own against more experienced competitors, but his lightning quick blade work and explosive surprise attacks kept them on their toes. Charles was our highest placed fencing at the State Novice Tournament, coming in at 9th. He fights with power and finesse, and with a fair amount of bravado.
boys varsity FENCING
MOST IMPROVED FENCER AWARD
JALEN A. ’25
Jalen started fencing this Fall, but you would never know it now. In his first year of the sport, he has shown tremendous growth. He knows how to use his size and strength to his advantage, but has worked hard to gain speed and balance. He's become well known for his mighty appel--a stomp that startles his opponent and shakes the building. Jalen has competed against novice and JV fencers with a high degree of success, and puts everything into each bout. He has also become a student of the sport, learning not only from watching best fencers, but also mastering the officiating of bouts.
boys varsity FENCING
coaches AWARD
JACK G. ’24
Jack started fencing this Fall, but more than that, fencing is the first competitive sport he's played. Walking into the new environment of Watkinson and the potentially intimidating sport of fencing, he's thrived and learned the sport very well. A wrist injury kept him out of competition for a bit, but he continued to warm up with the team, officiate bouts and help getting equipment set up. On the strip he is a formidable opponent, with a number of wins under his belt. He's shown a strong affinity for the sport, and revealed impressive athleticism all the way.
boys varsity FENCING
MCDONALD SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
HANS A. ’25
A co-captain, Hans has been a leader for the team, was successful in his bouts, and remains one of the most entertaining fencers for spectators. Coming off an undefeated first match, he faced a complete reversal in his second. Hans and the rest of the team got to work to understand why the calls had gone against them, and quickly learned what they need to do to get better. In our Simsbury-Ridgefield match, after winning the team bout, Hans went on to face off the best varsity fencers from both teams in 6-way pool. Despite losing 5-4 against one of them, he came away saying he did what he came to do, he fenced well and had fun.
jv BOYS BASKETBALL
This season, JV basketball finished with a record of 2-10. We started our season with an overtime thriller against Eagle Hill, with Shawn making a three pointer at the buzzer to send the game to overtime. The team worked incredibly hard all season on improving skills, communication and set plays. We played some terrific basketball the second half of the season and were able to beat Masters on their home floor! I am very proud of our team and the dedication of all of the players this season!
JV BOYS BASKETBALL
most valuable player
HENRY B. ’26 (top photo)
Henry led the team in scoring this year and was our starting point guard for each game. Henry approached each game with a positive mindset and utilized a variety of skills on the court to score. He has been a captain and leader all season!
LIAM M. '26 (bottom photo)
Liam was an integral part of the team this year. He had a strong presence in the paint and was able to secure many offensive rebounds that turned into points. Liam has a strong passion for the game of basketball and worked hard each day at practice on different skills to help the team!
JV BOYS BASKETBALL
MCDONALD SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
DYLAN G. ’26
Dylan came to practice and games each day with a positive attitude and tons of sportsmanship. He would always cheer on his teammates and make sure the bench had lots of energy. Dylan was always ready to help the team in any way that he could!
JV BOYS BASKETBALL
most improved player
CONNOR M. '25
Connor is receiving the Coach's award for both his sportsmanship and improvement of his game this season. Connor became one of our team's best rebounders and was also voted an honorary captain for a couple of games this season. His hard work and dedication to the team was apparent each day at practice and in games!
JV BOYS BASKETBALL
COACH'S AWARD
KYLE. H-B. ’27
Kyle improved his game each and every day this year. He greatly improved his shooting skills with lots of practice and dedication, becoming one of the best shooters on the team! He made many big three point shots this season!
Middle School
MS GIRLS BASKETBALL
This season was all about building our team’s chemistry, knowledge, and skill. We had a good mix of experienced and novice players, where every athlete had an opportunity to grow and thrive in practices and games. Regardless of their level of experience, each player came to practice and games ready to learn, and prepared to compete. We are so proud of all of the effort, resiliency, and courage our team has shown. We had great competition in our intrasquad scrimmages, where our last scrimmage was heavily attended, and the energy was high. We even had a game winning foul shot made! There is nothing more exciting than our team scoring more points than last game, or competing against each other in our home gym! Congratulations on a season full of growth to the Girls’ Middle School Basketball team!
MS GIRLS BASKETBALL
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
RAYNAH M. ’28
Since 7th grade, Raynah has been on the Watkinson Middle School Girls’ basketball team. She has developed into a more knowledgeable and competitive player, who even plays for the varsity team! In 8th grade, she is the leading scorer on the team and a valued teammate by all players. In every practice she worked to develop her skills, learned more about the game, and looked to her coaches for advice and guidance on how to be a leader to others. I am honored to have coached her these last few years, and am excited to see her grow as a basketball player, and a Watkinson student athlete!
MS GIRLS BASKETBALL
McDonald Sportsmanship Award
PARIS W. ’28
Paris is the epitome of a good teammate and great sportswoman. She sees basketball as a game to be won, but more than that, a game to be enjoyed. You will often see Paris helping others up, encouraging her teammates, and helping others up. She is always ready to give a compliment to her teammates, or bring out smiles and laughs when we are down. We are lucky to have had you on the team the last three years, and always keep that great energy and love for the game! Great work Paris, we are so proud of you! We are excited to see all you do as a Watkinson Student Athlete!
MS GIRLS BASKETBALL
COACH'S Award
ENIYAH G. ’28
Eniyah is a Ram, through and through. Although she was injured half way through the season she consistently brought the energy to the gym. There was never a practice where Eniyah did not show up to work and encourage her teammates. Having her on the sidelines during games was a joy, where she stayed focused and energetic. Her joy for the game, and her tenacity on the court is magnetic. Eniyah is reliable, focused, and competitive, and all around what every coach hopes to have in a player. We are so excited to see all she does in the upcoming seasons, and across the seasons as a true Watkinson Student Athlete.
MS GIRLS BASKETBALL
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
AMAYA W. ’28
Amaya is at heart a dancer and performer, but her ability to pick up a new sport, learn the rules, understand the plays, and advance in both skill and knowledge is a testament to her growth mindset and determination. She worked hard every practice to remain focused, apply feedback, and develop her skills. In our last scrimmage at Watkinson, Amaya made a shot, was fouled, and drained the foul shot to win the game for her team! We are so proud of her progress, and we are so excited to see all she does as a Watkinson Student Athlete.
MS BOYS BASKETBALL
We had 10 solid basketball players on our team this season, each with a varying skill set; but every player had the same drive to work hard and improve their game. An abundance of players allowed us to mix and match starting line-ups, leading to defensive problems for our opponents. Coaches Gemme and Gustafson thank each member of the team this season for their commitment and overall hard work this year. Everyone trained hard and we know at times there was some frustration, but we are grateful that the guys trusted us enough and followed through towards our goals each day. As our team was composed of mostly 6th and 7th graders this season, we look forward to moving into next season with lots of team experience under our belts. Shawn, Noah, and Gabe will be moving into the 9th grade next season and both Mr. Gs wish the three of them the best luck in their basketball careers moving forward here at Watkinson!
MS BOYS BASKETBALL
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
SHAWN A. ’28
Shawn led our team in scoring, blocks, and rebounds this season. He averaged 13 points a game for us, while also playing up on the JV team for the second half of the season. Shawn has shown his love for basketball has no limits and he has a bright future in his future basketball career here at Watkinson. His skills improve with each practice he works hard in and there is no doubt he will lead future teams in all the same stats listed earlier. Good luck next season Shawn!
GABE M. ’28
Gabe joined the team this year as an 8th grader and quickly learned to play Center for us. His skills improved each week and he learned to use his size and athletic ability to overpower his opponents. Gabe scored in almost every game he played and accumulated 17 points over the season. More important than his in-game performances was his attitude, never griping at his teammates or coaches and always ending each practice by thanking Coach G. and Coach G. for our time spent with him. We hope Gabe continues playing basketball as he moves forward here at Watkinson.
MS BOYS BASKETBALL
COACH'S Award
JACK H. ’29 AND FINN W. ’30
This award was a tough one to decide upon this year because all 10 players on our team worked hard all season for their coaches. But unlike Most Valuable Player and Most Improved Player where there are solid statistics and such involved; this year our Coaches Awards are going to two players who put forth their best efforts every day for their team. Neither Jack or Finn let their size or skill levels affect how they enjoyed the game of basketball. Both worked hard all season in practices to improve the areas of their game where they felt they lacked and brought that drive to each game they played in for us. Hopefully both players will be back again with the team next December when they can pick up where we left off at the end of this season. We know they will keep working hard all summer on their skills on their own at home and bring their great attitudes into next season. A huge thanks from Coach Gemme and Coach Gustafson for all your hard work this year!
