In the 2021-2022 season, the Walpole Girls Varsity Basketball Team has had an extremely successful season thus far. They sit at an impressive 13-3 record on the year in a competitive division two with many strong teams. They also won the Bay State Championship for this year, defeating Needham in a close game. In the smaller Herget Conference including nearby towns like Needham and Braintree, Walpole holds an undefeated record. With nine wins and one loss as of now, Walpole is comfortably ahead of second-place Needham, who has won seven games and lost two. 

Led by senior captain Natalie Griffin and junior captain Brooke Walonis, Walpole looks to end the season strong and keep their impressive record. Juniors Catie Hurley and Haley Brigham are consistent offensive contributors, and freshman Izzy Adams impressively leads the team in scoring. Walonis attributes part of the team’s success this year to their chemistry. 

“We have been able to do a lot of team activities and spend a ton of time together which definitely has translated to how we work on the court,” Walonis said. 

Alongside another talented roster, strong coaching is an additional factor contributing to the success of the team. The head coach, David Wall, encourages a strong connection between teammates, and it shows in the team’s on-court chemistry. 

“Coach Wall has known a lot of us for a few years and knows how to get us playing our best which has played a huge role in our success,” said Walonis. 

From the start of the season, Walpole showed signs of their success to come and set the tone for the remainder of the year. They opened their season with a commanding 21-point win over Needham. Walpole beat strong Herget Division competitor Braintree by 18 with strong performances from Walonis, Hurley, and Grace Ryan. Walpole also blew out Milton by 34 points, the final score being 52-18. Walpole has shown their dominance outside of the Herget Division as well, handily beating Newton North by over 30 points. Walpole consistently beats opposing teams by significant margins, defeating towns like Hanover and Brookline by more than 10 points. Walonis called their game against Brookline the best win of the season. 

“We came into it expecting the game to be close the whole time, but ended up going up by 30 in the early 4th quarter and finished the game ahead by at least 20,” said Walonis. 

Coming off of their regular-season success, the girls varsity team has big hopes for their postseason. After already winning the Bay State Championship, the team looks to win as much a

“In the postseason, we definitely are hoping to make a far run and to keep playing as long as we can,” Walonis said. 

Another goal for the postseason is to beat Norwood, a rival town that narrowly got the best of Walpole in a regular-season matchup. 

“In order to win the state championship we will definitely have to face them again and that is something I think we are all looking forward to,” said Walonis.