Could early success bolster NFA girls basketball in 2023-24?
The Norwich Free Academy girls basketball team shook off a season-opening loss at Woodstock Academy and blitzed East Lyme, 54-27, Thursday night in the home opener before a huge crowd at Alumni Gymnasium.
It took the Wildcats six games to get their first win a year ago and some early-season success could be a needed elixir for NFA, which is coming off rebuilding seasons of 3-19 and 10-13.
“We’ve got a lot of options,” NFA head coach Courtney Gomez said. “Our bench is pretty deep, we’ve got four big kids and a bunch of guards that have experience. So that’s nice to see.”
The Wildcats raced out to a 16-4 lead against the Vikings behind an opportunistic defense and some prolific shooting that was absent for a good portion last winter.
“We just came out with a lot of intensity,” Gomez said. “Our focus was defense and rebounding and when we focus on that it took the pressure off our offense. We tried to play with a little more pace than we did the first night (a 55-43 loss against the Centaurs).”
Senior guard Naiya Stone and freshman guard Selia Atchinson each drained 3-point baskets in the first quarter, while junior forward Emily Orcutt (12 points) added six points in the second quarter as the Wildcats built a 29-9 halftime advantage.
Atchison, who added another 3-pointer in the fourth quarter, finished with a game-high 14 points in a memorable home debut.
“She’s just a kid who’s not afraid,” Gomez said. “Regardless of whether the ball goes in the basket, she’s all over the floor. She’s on the floor for loose balls, she’s in there rebounding, she’s making assists and pushing the ball up the floor. She gives us another option at the guard position.”
Despite missing senior guard Brooke Bolles (sick) for the second straight game, the Wildcats did a terrific job moving the ball in transition against East Lyme. Bolles has verbally committed to Eastern Connecticut State University.
“Hopefully, we’ll get Brooke back on Saturday and start to move forward,” Gomez said.
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Senior point guard Nevaeh Yorke, who scored nine points, directed NFA’s attack. The Wildcats other starters, along with Atchinson, Orcutt, and Yorke, were junior forward Jordyn Bay-Kent and junior guard Brooke Stringer, while sophomore forward Petra Berry, senior forward Willow Ludlow, sophomore guard Sophie Miner, and Stone gave the Wildcats terrific minutes off the bench.
More: NFA falls short in defensive battle
After two straight sub .500 seasons, are the basketball gods finally ready to show some love for Norwich Free Academy in 2023-24?
“This team has a little bit more energy, more experience, and a little more composure under pressure,” Gomez said. “It’s still a work in progress. Tonight is a nice confidence booster.”
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Norwich Free Academy girls basketball preview
