METHUEN – It’s fair to say that when she took the job in the spring, Jess Robinson wasn’t too sure what was left in the Salem High girls hoop cupboard after a massive graduation hit.
Let’s just say the summer, and Monday night’s Methuen Summer League championship game, have gone a long way in assuaging any fears Robinson might have had.
With the title on the line and the battle with Newburyport tied at 29-29, incoming sophomore Morgan Raskow called for the ball, asked her teammates to clear out and drove to the rack for what proved to be the decisive hoop in the Blue Devils’ 34-31 title win. Raskow also calmly sank a couple free throws in the final seconds to ice it.
“We want the ball in her hands,” said Robinson. “Hopefully, this is the first of many.”
Robinson left the Klimas Fieldhouse with a smile and a sense of accomplishment as the Salem girls have seemingly navigated the adjustment after losing the talented senior trio of Lily George, Lindsay Goetz and Ella Mosto.
“So far so good, I’m very lucky. Ricky (Oliver) has done a great job the past few seasons,” said Robinson. “This is a great group of girls. They’ve been open and accepting from the minute I was hired. I’m super-excited for the future. This is where it starts.
“I knew they graduated a big chunk of their offense. That’s public school. It ebbs and flows. I think we’re in a good spot. We’ve got sophomores, juniors and seniors stepping up, ready for their turn.”
Raskow and classmate Shea O’Loughlin have risen into lead roles. Allie Marshall has kicked in a big summer, as well. And the incoming seniors, Makayla Burns, Liv DeFrancesco and Nicole Ringdahl have provided the leadership that Robinson has been looking for.
“They’re very resilient. We had a couple bumpy games at the start. We ironed out a lot of kinks to get together and get us to this point,” said Robinson. “This is where we’ve poured the foundation out. Now, we just have to keep building on it.”