READ ALL ABOUT IT

A Special Season in the Making?

Harvey’s girls varsity basketball team plans to be in the thick of things this winter come HVAL playoffs time in late February, and first-year head coach Hannah Paul believes the Cavaliers have the talent to make a strong run at the league championship. Coach Paul, who served as the assistant coach of the team last season, will be ably assisted by Ricky Forde for his first year in the coach’s box.

An HVAL All-League and NEPSAC All-Star when she played for Harvey, Coach Paul has a talented core of players returning from last year’s team that came very close to playing in the HVAL championship game. A late-game rally in the semifinal brought the Cavs close to ousting No.2 seed Watkinson from the championship tournament but the Rams held off the Cavs 37-35.

In addition to their battle-tested experience, two other strengths of this year’s Cavs team is their athleticism and speed. Taking advantage of their speediness, the Cavs like to play an up-tempo game. “Our greatest strength is our quickness pushing the ball on offense and getting to the ball on defense,” Coach Paul said.

Senior captain Peyton Forde is the lynchpin to Harvey’s offense. The talented point guard is coming off another terrific season in which she averaged a team-leading 27 points per game, earned her third straight HVAL All-League selection, and was chosen as a New England Prep Schools Girls Basketball Association All-Star. Forde also made school history when she became only the third girl to reach the 1,000 career point milestone for the Cavaliers.

Having served as the assistant coach last season, Coach Paul knows full well what Forde can do. “Peyton’s an incredible basketball player all around, an amazing court reader and decision​-maker,” Coach Paul said. The team captain is a top-notch ball-handler who causes havoc for defenders trying to deny her a lane to the basket. She also plays tenacious defense which forces numerous turnovers.

Another key returner is junior guard Madison Boothe who enjoyed a breakout season in her first year on varsity last winter, averaging seven rebounds a game. Coach Paul expects Boothe to make significant contributions this season. “Madison has improved her skills and knowledge of the game,” Coach Paul said. “She’s quick, dives for loose balls, and never gives up,” the coach said, adding, “Madison has great decision making, a great shooter and finisher.”

Madison’s twin sister Sydney Boothe, also a junior guard, should see quality minutes. Coach Paul likes what she sees from Sydney. “She will be a key contributor because she has developed her skills and will be making smart decisions all around,” the coach said, adding, “Sydney finishes layups, gets rebounds, and is overall a strong performer.” Coach Paul said she “is very excited to see the Boothe twins excel.”

Lainey Hanson, a speedy junior guard, is back and expected to play a key role. “Lainey is very quick on her feet on defense and not afraid to be aggressive to get after the ball,” Coach Paul said. “She’s also a great shooter,” the coach added.

Returning after a year away is senior Amani Carty who will play the center position to take advantage of her height and her athleticism, Coach Paul said. “Amani has knowledge of the game and pushes her teammates to play together,” the coach said.

Newcomer Skye Watson, a senior guard, has impressed Coach Paul. “Skye’s one of the quickest girls I’ve seen,” the coach said, adding, “She can finish around the rim and has good knowledge of the game.”

Coach Paul is very much looking forward to coaching a varsity team she once played for. “Coming back to The Harvey School as head coach is a full circle moment for me,” she said. “I’m dedicated to growing the girls basketball program, and I am genuinely excited for what this year is going to bring. I have a lot of faith in this group, and I am excited to see what they can do together, both as individual players and as a team.”

The season gets underway Dec. 10 at home when Harvey hosts HVAL rival Westover School.