BHS Girls’ Basketball Team Sets Some Lofty Goals

By KEN HAMWEY, 

Bulletin Sports Writer

The 2023-24 girls’ basketball team at Bellingham High appears to be in a good place after last year’s youthful squad finished with a 3-18 record, one victory shy of qualifying for the state tourney.

The Blackhawks struggled last year after losing Maya Jackson, a promising sophomore. The 5-foot-11 power forward suffered a torn ACL against Douglas in the Hutchinson Tournament and missed 16 games. A fundamentally sound competitor, Jackson’s all-around talents were sorely missed.

Coach Bob Pingeton, now in his second year at the helm, is optimistic his forces will be vastly improved and he’s eager to get the season started. The Blackhawks, who’ll open at  Blackstone Valley Tech on Dec. 8, have 10 players returning, and all of them have experience.

“Our strengths include athleticism, good team chemistry, experience, depth and an improving basketball IQ,’’ Pingeton said. “We’re more confident, and that leads to better play. Many of the girls are technically sound, and they’re striving to be mentally tough, an attribute that helps with resilience.’’

The 50-year-old Pingeton has set some lofty team goals, but he firmly believes they can be achieved. Heading the list is qualifying for the state tourney.

“Getting into the playoffs is the top priority,’’ he said. “And that means beating some Tri Valley League teams. We also want to be in the mix to capture the TVL Small Division title. Two other objectives are to improve daily in practice and games, and to repeat as Hutchinson Tourney champs. It’s important to win the tourney that we host.’’

The Blackhawks’ three captains will play key roles in trying to achieve Pingeton’s goals. They include Jackson, a junior who can play either forward or guard; Calleigh Elder, another junior who will start at point guard; and senior forward Ciara Crayton. They are not only capable leaders, but they’re also talented and skilled.

“Maya is a great team-first player,’’ Pingeton offered. “She’s very athletic, can score, rebound and defend, and her basketball IQ is the best on the team. She’ll lead by example and by being vocal.’’

Elder averaged 8 points and 3 assists last year, but Pingeton expects those numbers to improve. “Calleigh’s court vision is excellent,’’ he said. “She’s an incredible athlete who also plays soccer and runs track. She’s experienced and distributes the ball well.’’

The 5-foot-9 Crayton can rebound and defend. “Ciara is impactful in the paint,’’ Pingeton noted. “She’s got good court presence, she’s physical and will guard our opponents’ to forward in the paint. She’s competitive and displays good court presence.’’

Junior off-guard Anabella Barrasso likely will start on the wing. “She could be our best pure shooter,’’ Pingeton said. “She’s competitive, can get to the rim and finish the play. Anabella could be a double-figure scorer.’’

Sophomore Maggie Kane gained experience as a freshman last year at the small-forward slot. “She’s got good court sense, a high basketball IQ, and she’s competitive. An AAU player, we’ll lean on her to get some rebounds.’’

Junior Luci Walden, who was the MVP of the Hutchinson Tourney last year, is a capable wing player. “Luci is a sparkplug who at times was our best defender,’’ Pingeton noted. “She’s like a utility knife, always willing to do the dirty work. Her scoring and defense were keys in our winning the Hutchinson Tourney.’’

A trio of senior Montana Berglund, freshman Debora Kalemi and junior Sam Gibbs are guards who’ll contribute. 

“Montana came off the bench last year,’’ Pingeton said. “She’s got good instincts and is smooth in transition. A two-guard, she can shoot the three, and she’s able to get up and down the court quickly. Debora can play the point or on the wing. I expect her to get more minutes this season and have a bigger role. A strong defender, she passes well. Sam is a two-guard who can shoot, pass and also get to the basket. She was on the varsity but also gained experience by competing on the jayvee team.’’

Senior Sam D’Agostino will play forward. “She’s fearless,’’ Pingeton said. A rebounder, she can also shoot and knock down three-pointers.’’

Pingeton, who coaches girls’ tennis and boys’ golf at Franklin High, says he wants to keep building stability for the Blackhawks’ girls’ program. “My second year will be easier, but it won’t be easy,’’ he emphasized. “It will be easier, because I’m familiar with the school, the players and the program. But, it won’t be easy because the TVL is an incredibly tough league. There’s no easy opponent on the schedule. And, our non-league games will be challenging.’’

BHS will play Notre Dame of Hingham twice, Blackstone Valley Tech, and open the Hutchinson Tourney against Carver. In either the tourney’s title game or the consolation contest, the Blackhawks will face either Ursuline or Dighton-Rehoboth.

“We were 3-18 last year, but no one quit and our team chemistry remained solid,’’ Pingeton noted. “We’re in rebuilding mode, and this season will be a key year. We’re on the right path.’’

Pingeton, who was an assistant in 2021 for coach John Leighton with the Franklin High girls’ basketball team, revealed that his squad’s motto this season is “trust.’’ The players will have that word on their uniforms.

“Trust is about trusting the process, the coach and your teammates,’’ he said.

Pingeton’s players are also learning some valuable life lessons while competing “I want them to learn how to be accountable, how to overcome adversity and to be leaders and good teammates with a terrific work ethic,’’ he said.

Bob Pingeton is eager to get his second season underway and it’s unlikely that he’ll experience a sophomore jinx.