Three days after turning 16-years-old, Pinkerton Academy’s Alex White was busy doing something she absolutely loves: playing basketball.
But instead of getting a late birthday present, White was struck with a devastating knee injury.
In May of 2022, while playing for her AAU team, White went up for a rebound and when she came down with the ball, an opposing player’s knee hit hers, resulting in a torn ACL in White’s right knee.
The 5-foot-8 forward had to miss the rest of her spring season, as well as the AAU summer and fall sessions, and then her entire junior high school season.
Certainly, that was extremely tough for White. But after surgery, nine months of rehab and now a healthy knee, she feels stronger and quicker than ever, and she’s elevated her basketball-IQ.
“I sat and watched (my Pinkerton teammates) play for a whole year. I know how they all play and I know exactly where to be on the court at all times,” said White. “I know what looks to expect, I know where they are going to cut and I just know how each of them plays because I was on the bench watching. Plus, we have all been playing together since the seventh grade. Just to sit and have a coach’s perspective last season and all of the games that I went to from the summer, fall and winter, I just feel a lot more confident especially with my IQ of the game.”
As a sophomore starter, White averaged about 7 points and 8 rebounds per game. Now entering her senior year, head coach Lani Buskey has White back in the starting five.
“Alex isn’t the star, but she’s a heck of a role player for us and we are certainly happy to have her back,” said Buskey.
Coming off a 14-win season, with many players back, expectations are pretty high for Pinkerton. Eagle-Tribune Super Teamer Liz Lavoie is closing in on 1,000 career points, fellow captain Sydney Gerossie, a talented sophomore named Brooke Benza, and a healthy White certainly brings a lot of optimism around the program.
“Going into this season, I feel pretty confident with myself and I think my teammates are pretty confident knowing what I bring to the floor,” said White. “I have been in rehab and I have been working out to build my muscles back up, so my teammates have been telling me that they think I’m stronger and quicker now than before the injury.”
Division I ASTROS RETURN 11 PLAYERS
Pinkerton is loaded with experience, led by Lavoie, who is a two-time Division I All-State selection. Last year, she averaged 20.6 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals and three assists per game. She has already received some offers from Division 1 colleges.
“Captains Liz Lavoie and Sydney Gerossie will anchor the crew while Brooke Benz who matured and grew her game as a freshman starter last year seems ready to have a stellar sophomore year on the court,” said Buskey. “Add to that a healthy Alex White as well as Kaylee Dupuis, Emily Leonard, Devin Lebrun, and Hayden Leccese, and the Astros look to have a deep and talented bench to last the season.”
SALEM TURNING TO YOUTH
The Blue Devils lost a lot of seniors and experience from last year’s 8-11 squad, and head coach Ricky Oliver will be turning to his younger players including three juniors, Lyndsay Goetz, Lily George and Gabriella Mosto to lead the way on and off the court.
“We are very young with no seniors but seven returners in a new system on both sides of the ball,” said Oliver. “We will have some challenges, but this team of 12 players is working hard and learning fast, which makes me very proud of each and everyone of them.”
JAGUARS COMING OFF STRONG SEASON
Windham finished with a solid 11-8 record last year and will lean on the inside play of Paige and Kate Carboni. Paige is a senior forward and captain and Kate is a sophomore center.
“They will both be powerhouses under the basket. Both are eager for rebounds, a statistic that is a focus for us at the start of this season,” said head coach Cassie Turcotte. “From the perimeter we are coming back with Meghan Husson and Lilah Boucher who have successful field goal experience.
“Avery Steffanedes is returning after a year sidelined due to injury as well as new to our program Erica Sovereign and Rileigh Finnernan who will add to our offensive strengths. Sarah Guarnaccia is an excellent versatile utility player who will bring both an inside and outside presence for us.
“We have additional depth this year with Gabriella Gullifa, Elizabeth Grasso, Saskya Clark and Amelia Bushey ready to contribute to our successes.”
Division II PYTHONS WILL RELY ON VETERANS
Last year Pelham finished 14-5, losing in the Division II state semifinals. The reigning New Hampshire Division II Player of the Year Jasmine Becotte, who surpassed the 1,000 point plateau while averaging 22 points per game, transferred to Lawrence Academy, which leaves an obvious hole in offensive scoring.
“We have a veteran team with some exciting new, varsity players. We will need to play great defense, run at every opportunity, and stay healthy to be successful,” said head coach Bob Shepard.
Sophia Joncas will be relied upon as the team’s go-to player. The 5-foot-8 forward averaged 7 points and 15 rebounds as a junior. Sophomore point guard Grace Riley, who averaged just under 10 points a game last year, is out for the first few weeks as she is recovering from foot surgery. Hannah Kelly, a 5-foot-10 sophomore, and senior guard Olivia Todd, who can shoot from the outside, are also hoping to elevate their games.
OWLS UNDER NEW DIRECTION
Timberlane is looking for a turnaround season, after three wins last fall, led by a new head coach who is a very familiar face — state champion Owls football coach Kevin Fitzgerald.
The team will be led by four returning starters, senior Maia Parker and juniors Ava Stewart, Ella Lampron and Lulu Trasatti. All four players were part of the state championship soccer team.
“We are looking to get better each day and be competitive night in and night out,” said Fitzgerald. “We have an outstanding group of girls who are hungry to get better and working hard to do so. We have a good number of multi-sport athletes who have had success in other sports and are looking for that to help us on the court. We are all excited to get going.”
Twitter: @JamiePote