For Coach Tony Williams, it was a transition year as he made the move from freshman boys basketball back into the North Adams girls program, taking the reins in 2015-16 as the JV Girls head coach. The move was a successful one for Williams and his JV squad as they finished their season with an outstanding 15-4 record.
“This has been a great season,” said Williams. “Of our four losses, three of them were by four points or less. This group of girls has improved throughout the year. They have worked hard and done all the things that we’ve asked them to do. It was a joy to coach them this year and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with them.”
The 15th win of the season came in the regular season finale on Feb. 4, but it didn’t come easy, as the JV Lady Devils jumped out to a big lead, then nearly squandered it away in the fourth quarter, before hanging on to outlast the Lynchburg Lady Mustangs 35-33.
“We didn’t come out with the energy level and focus that we expect in the first half,” said Williams of his team’s final contest. “I challenged the girls at halftime to play with the level of intensity on defense that I knew we could and our defensive pressure really caused them some problems in the third quarter plus we started to make some shots. Give credit to Lynchburg, they didn’t give up and made a nice run at us in the fourth. I may have pulled off the reins too early and some crucial turnovers hurt us.”
“I was extremely proud of our girls for making the plays at the end of the game that gave us the victory. It was truly a team effort with everyone contributing to the win.”
A number of the JV players at North Adams will now suit up for the school’s varsity squad in sectional tournament play as the varsity Lady Devils begin their postseason on Saturday, Feb. 13, facing Peebles in a Division III sectional championship game at Valley High School. Tip off is set for 4:30 p.m.
