ANDOVER — At times the last four afternoons, Alan Hibino has stepped back and watched at practice, just to take it in.
“You’re definitely watching the next generation of Lady Warrior basketball out there,” said Hibino, whose program is undergoing a bit of an overhaul on the fly after the dramatic run to the Division 1 state championship last March.
Gone are four senior starters — four four-year varsity players — from that crew on a team that only went six or seven deep.
Rebuilding, reloading, call it what you will, but Hibino and his staff have some serious work to do in the coming weeks.
“We are the new-look Warriors, and our staff is very excited to be out there, working with them every day,” said Hibino. “It’s been all hands on deck. and it feels pretty good to get back to basics. We’re all teaching again, and it’s been a great four days.”
What Hibino has and will continue to count on is the leadership and play from his senior point guard, Michaela Buckley.
The returning Eagle-Tribune All-Star and first-team all-conference selection has had the basketball in her hands for the better part of the past two winters in which Andover has gone 47-2 in that span.
“She’s just been great in that leadership role,” said Hibino.
Ella Vidoni, the Warriors’ sixth player a year ago, came of age in the tourney run, hitting some big shots. She’ll be counted on for more scoring in an expanded role.
And don’t discount the rest of the senior class, which sacrificed and waited its turn patiently in the title run.
Athletes like Maddy Osborne, Arissa Dorelas, Cate Margolis, Gloria Igwe and Catherine Linehan, who is yet to hit the court due to illness, know that their time is now.
“We have a host of seniors, who along with the others were looking to win a state title, but at the same time we were preparing for this year,” said Hibino. “The seniors have taken what they learned in 2023 and are working hard every day to make this team their own.”
Andover will get to know where it stands almost immediately as it has scheduled a Friday scrimmage with Division 4 state champion Cathedral High School.
The Warriors open the regular season on Friday, December 8, at Saint Mary’s of Lynn.