Undefeated Girls' Basketball Team Still Taking Things One Game at a Time

The lady Rockets have achieved a perfect record heading into the tail-end of the season and are ranked fifth in the state.

While those are notable accomplishments, Head Coach Kim Penney said the team is still aiming for goals it set before the season started.

“Our goal as a team is to get better every day we step onto the court.  We approach every game with the same mindset- no game is more important than the other,” Penney said. “Every team you coach is special, but this team’s work ethic and respect for one another is outstanding.  Everyone on the team has a role and is a contributor in some way.”

The Rockets are led by seniors Carlene Kluge and Melissa Kluge, but has thrived on a complete team effort on the court.

“Olivia Healy and Morgan O’Brien are playing well beyond their years as sophomores, and juniors Katherine Callahan and Katie Clements have been consistent all season.  Senior Gillian Walsh is a sparkplug on defense with her intensity as well,” Penney said.

Even the youngsters on the team are making an impact each day. It takes an entire team to accomplish something this special and the Rockets are showing the depth on their roster.

“Sophomores Siobhan O’Brien, Meghan Stanford, Katie Starble, freshman Sarah Haase and Bridget Clements have all learned our system quickly and are improving with each practice and game,” Penney said.

Every sports fan will tell you that defense wins championships and Penney is no different.

“Most of the headlines go to the high scorers, but it is our team defense that we are most proud of, and that stuff sometimes does not show up in the box score,” Penney said.

Penney credits her team's success to her three keys of the year: working hard, having fun, and playing together.

“The goal going forward for our team is to push each other to be the best we can," she said. "The final score at the end of games is meaningless."

Being strong physically, mentally and emotionally—and being willing to trust one another and play in the moment—she said, is more important

Captain Carlene Kluge attributes the success to the teams’ depth and the ability to attack the weaknesses of other teams.

“We have solid players at every position.  We have shooters and inside presence, which probably makes us harder to guard.  We try to keep our heads out of the headlines and rankings, as well, and just focus on playing basketball,” Kluge said.

Being one of the leaders of this team, Kluge likes to set an example and keep everything on the floor positive.

“I work to keep us together. I think those are the most important things. I try to make sure that everyone picks each other up during games and stays focused on the team's goals,” Kluge said.

Olivia Healy, the sophomore sensation, has been dynamite all year for the lady Rockets leading the team down the offensive end, but she knows her teammates are responsible as well.

“My teammates help me get better every day.  The captains Melissa and Carlene are such great leaders on and off the court.  My job on the court is easier because of my teammates,” said Healy.

Every girl in the locker room knows this team can do something very special this year and win a state title, but they are sticking to their motto of one game at a time.

“The state title would be a great achievement, but we first want to take care of our next game and if the moment presents itself for the Middlesex league, we will take care of that first.  By taking it one game at a time we learn something new,” said Healy.