The Mass Huskies enjoyed a successful travel campaign in 2016, and the expectations are high again for the upcoming season.
“We were pretty strong last year, and we feel like that success has us primed for a very good year this summer,” said Coach Hank DeSantis. “We have a lot of intelligent players, and we play tough man-to-man defense. Offensively, we can play in transition, or we can grind it out in the half court.”
The Huskies will get an early gage on their abilities when they travel to the Deep South Classic for the fourth year. The 2017 Deep South Classic will be held in Raleigh, NC from April 20-23. The event, which will feature some of the finest travel teams in the nation, will be played at the Raleigh Convention Center. There will be 20 courts in the building, keeping the entire event under one roof in downtown Raleigh.
“We have really enjoyed going to the Deep South Classic,” DeSantis said. “It is a great venue, and they have a lot of college coaches every year. You also know you are going to see quality competition, and it’s going to be a quality event.”
The Huskies’ 2018 club we be led in Raleigh by Ivy Goglin (6-2, F-C, 2018), Caroline Andersen (6-2, F-C, 2018), Darby Leid (5-8, CG, 2018), Katie Kirsch (6-0, F, 2018) and Maura Smith (5-8, PG, 2018).
“Ivy is an athlete who can shoot with range, and she can get to the rim,” DeSantis said. “She jumps well, she is a good rebounder, and she finishes well. Caroline is a long athlete with good feet. She has a nice shooting touch out to 18 feet, and she plays well with her back to the basket. Caroline is a tough, physical competitor. Darby is a versatile player who can shoot it and get to the rim. She is also an athlete who can defend multiple positions.
“Katie and Maura both play for Central Catholic (in Lawrence, MA). Katie can face up, or play with her back to the basket. She gives us a physical presence inside, and she can shoot it out to the arc. Maura is a point guard who can score or facilitate. She is a penetrator with vision, and she is a good passer and a good shooter.”