With only a few weeks left in the Section IV basketball regular season, many teams have already punched their tickets to the postseason. Groton girls basketball made sure that their one-year absence from the sectionals would not be prolonged.
After a 4-13 campaign last year, the Red Hawks boast a 8-4 record, as of January 26. Their 63-41 win over Trumansburg on January 21 guaranteed their spot in the postseason. With most of their roster made up of seniors—nine of their 14 players, to be exact—the Red Hawks were motivated more than ever to make amends for last year.
“To have the success right now with what we had as the same team essentially last year, it’s just the fact that they’ve now bought in and they trust each other,” said head coach Justin Albro. “They’re trusting in me, they’re trusting in the system, and I think it just shows on the court. They’re enjoying their time out there now, too.”
“They know what their role is. They step right up and they step in.” Justin Albro, Head Coach, Groton Girls Basketball
Groton’s biggest area of improvement has been their defense. After allowing 53 points per game last year, the Red Hawks are only giving up 41 points per game. In all but one of their wins, they’ve allowed under 40 points, showcasing a clear-cut recipe for success.
“No matter who goes in at any time, it’s like we haven’t missed a beat,” Albro said. “They know what their role is. They step right up and they step in. Their communication and effort and resiliency on defense really turns it into a fast break offense. It’s kind of the style we wanted to play this year, and we’ve been successful with it.”
Not only are the Red Hawks mostly made up of seniors, 12 of their 14 players were also on the same soccer team that made history this fall by winning their first Section IV title since 1987. That sort of chemistry and winning pedigree has clearly translated across season and sport.
“They understand it’s just one common goal between all the sports here at Groton is we want to be successful and have the best season possible,” Albro said. “When they see the coaches are buying in with each other and supporting each program, they know that it’s not just one program versus another, it’s the sport community as a whole here in Groton, and I think that’s really where the success is coming from.”
One of the star players both on the pitch and on the court is Devyn Blasz. The All-State midfielder swaps her cleats for shoes to be Red Hawks’ point guard, pacing the team in steals and assists. The two-time IAC All-Star is one of four captains along with fellow seniors Jill Zigenfus, Bailey Vliet and Reese Brockway. Albro has been taken aback by Devyn and the other captains’ guidance this year.
“Devyn’s taken unbelievable leadership roles,” Albro said. “She commands the team on and off the court. She’s not alone in that. I have the girls usually write a letter if they want to become a captain, and I had nine girls actually write letters this year for it. We ended up picking four of them, and every single one of them has done an unbelievable job in the classroom, on the court, outside of our community.”
Zigenfus is another returning All-Star and is one of three players with three years of varsity experience. The senior adds a vital composed presence to the Red Hawks whenever the going gets tough.
“She’s calm, cool, collected, no matter what the situation,” Albro said. “I look at Jill and she has no nerves. That’s just the way it is. We always joke when it’s practice time or game time, we’re like, ‘Oh, Jill showed up to work.’ She comes in ready to go. She is all business, and that’s what it is, and it’s great to have that on the floor.”
In a senior-heavy team, freshman Violet Santspree has emerged as their go-to scorer. Another reigning All-Star, Santspree certainly does not look like a ninth grader out on the court.
“Her biggest thing is her maturity. She’s 14 years old, and the fact that she comes in and she has a lot on her shoulders, there is a lot of pressure for somebody in that situation. It’s like all eyes kind of go to you [as] ‘the next thing.’ People are going to look at you, but you can’t get swept up in that. And she understands that. She goes, ‘I’m here to play my game. I’m going to do what I do best.’”
With the Red Hawks already sectional-bound, they’re aiming even higher. The next step? Securing a postseason home game, which has not happened in quite some time. They have the experience, talent and chemistry to bring playoff hoops back inside the Groton gym. But as always, the focus is on taking things one game at a time and on continuing to grow and learn along the way.
