Crimson Tide girls basketball expands in popularity with large turnout at tryouts

Everett begins new season against host Malden on Tuesday, Dec. 16, before taking on Chelsea in the home opener two nights later

By Joe McConnell

Everett High School girls basketball coach Riley Dunn admits that last year had its challenges, but there were also hopeful signs of a bright future.

“Last year was a year full of challenges, but the girls still showed resilience,” said Dunn, who’s about to begin her sixth season along the Everett sidelines. “We ended the season with a 5-15 record, but not before getting a big team win against non-league Marblehead, who went on to make the playoffs.”

Seniors Casey Martinez, Nicole Damaceno and Katerin Landaverde are back this year as the team’s captains. Sophomore Julianna Rivera, junior Kylee Nord and senior Rosita Pun round out the returnees on the varsity roster, while seniors Amanda Verteiro and Ariana Rouse, junior Ashley Heath and sophomore Abigail Falkowski are the newcomers.

Speaking of newcomers, Dunn has added three new faces to her staff that still includes longtime varsity assistant coach Courtney Meninger.

Former EHS player Tatiana Moran will also be a varsity assistant, while Jason Green comes aboard to take charge of the JV squad. Green is a true supporter of girls basketball, whose passion for the sport is only superseded by his love of coaching Everett kids, according to Dunn.

Maekala Turner, an EHS math teacher with a high level of basketball experience, is the new freshman coach.

“This group of coaches truly loves the game of basketball, and that passion is quite evident on the basketball court,” said Dunn. “I’m so lucky to be surrounded by such determined, knowledgeable and passionate coaches, and together we will continue to build this program that also produces future female leaders of the world.”

Dunn was excited about the record turnout of players, who came out for the beginning of tryouts the Monday after Thanksgiving. “We had almost 50 girls fill the gym, including our largest freshman turnout ever. I’m proud to say that we will have a team on each level (freshman, JV, varsity) playing competitive basketball, which will give all of these players a chance to play significant minutes this year,” she said.

The veteran coach then added that senior captains Martinez, Damaceno and Landaverde are setting the tone for the upcoming season. “They are all-in to produce better results,” Dunn said, “while the newcomers will make a huge impact on the team immediately. Returnees Rivera and   Nord have already embraced their larger roles on the team, and, as a result, there’s great energy in the gym. They all want to win and compete, which is a coach’s dream.”

Going into the season, the Crimson Tide is focusing on building team chemistry and developing a defensive identity, while on offense the coaching staff will put the players in their best roles to succeed.

Dunn scheduled three scrimmages against Whittier Tech (Dec. 6), Melrose (Dec. 9) and Malden Catholic (Dec. 11) to get her team ready for the opener at Malden against the Golden Tornadoes on Tuesday, Dec. 16, starting at 6 p.m.

“We played Melrose and Whittier Tech on the road to help build our confidence away from home, before taking on Malden Catholic at home,” Dunn said. “They are all very competitive teams, which helped us focus on our weaknesses to become better on the court.”

After taking on host Malden, the Everett girls will return home to go up against Chelsea two days later on Dec. 18, at 6 p.m.

“The Greater Boston League (GBL) is getting more competitive each year, which is great to be a part of,” Dunn said. “All of our league opponents have something that we need to prepare for in practice. They are also very well-coached. I really think that this will be anyone’s year to take the title.”