Top player, best defender and more in the Patriot League. Local girls hoops coaches answer

Us reporters see the scores roll in every night and set our opinions aside in the name of journalism. It's a big part of the gig.

But this observation is factual. The Patriot League is loaded with high school basketball talent, both on the girls and boys sides.

We wanted to dig deeper.

What do other coaches think of the Patriot League hoops landscape? We sent out a survey to the league's coaches (hailing from Whitman-Hanson, Quincy, North Quincy, Hanover, Pembroke, Silver Lake, Hingham, Marshfield, Duxbury, Scituate, Plymouth North and Plymouth South).

Here are the questions we asked, and the anonymous replies we received.

Note: A boys basketball version of this story will be published on Wednesday.

More: Welcome to the 1K club: Vote for the High School Girls Basketball Player of the Week

1. Which opposing Patriot League gym has the best home court advantage?

"Hingham: Great fans with an awesome layout for a high school basketball game."

"Scituate: Loud, enthusiastic and into every possession. Heavily involved."

"Hingham: Love the box feel of their gym. Both baselines have bleachers on them and it can get rowdy at times. Good high school atmosphere."

"Whitman(-Hanson) is always a tough place to play."

"I think girls basketball in general needs to be celebrated more by all schools and their students. There is not a great student presence at really any gym in our league. However, if I had to pick one, it would be Hingham. Their student section directly behind the visitor's hoop."

"Pembroke, because there are always so many youth (players) there. They sing the ABCs during opposing free throws."

"I think post-COVID, schools have had some pretty bad attendance overall – especially Tuesday night games. Most gyms are empty of students. But, the best Friday night gyms seem to be Pembroke and Scituate."

2. Which Patriot League team/player has displayed the best sportsmanship?

"Difficult to single out one as there are many in our league that demonstrate the ideals of true sportsmanship."

"Quincy has a super supportive coach who does a terrific job while always being sensitive to potential blowouts. Players are all great sports."

"Duxbury always shows great sportsmanship. Great group of girls."

"Quincy High School girls team."

"Alyssa Hopps from Quincy. Great player and person."

"Scituate has displayed the best sportsmanship, in my opinion. They work hard out there and are very supportive of one another."

3. Who is the toughest player to gameplan against in the Patriot League?

"Alyssa Hopps from Quincy. There is no answer for her athleticism and skill."

"This is a tough question. There are a lot of good players in our league. Alyssa Hopps (Quincy), I would have to say. She is a tough cover. Can finish with both hands. Can step out and shoot it. Has a clutch gene. She is right handed but loves finishing going left. Really solid player."

"Alyssa Hopps, Quincy – one of the top scorers and a tremendous shot blocker. Has added 3-point range this year."

"Ava Bryan from North Quincy is the best player in the league. Her poise is unmatched and she has the purest shot in the game. Her range is deep yet she can finish around the rim with her length and tremendous athletic ability."

"(Quincy's Alyssa) Hopps."

4. Who is the most underrated player in the Patriot League?

"Maeve Powers (North Quincy) is the most underrated player in the Patriot League – Only a freshman but she has put up big numbers in big games. Her poise as a freshman (point guard) is very high and her ability to handle the pressure from defensive minded teams is something that is inspiring to watch. She can finish through contact as well as hit a mid-range shot in the break, her potential is limitless.

"Hayley McPhee from Marshfield – Plays a huge role for her team on both sides of the court but doesn’t seem to get the recognition she deserves."

"Paige Mann (Quincy) or Olivia Damon (Hanover)."

"Sophie Derochea (Pembroke): Undersized guard. Very scrappy. One of their leading scorers that no one seems to talk about. Pushes the pace for Pembroke and really gets overshadowed by her teammates. Never seems to get the recognition she deserves."

"Sophie Derochea from Pembroke is undersized and easy to overlook, but she is very good."

5. Who is the best defensive player in the Patriot League?

"Ellie Tam, Pembroke: Lots of deflections. Always big energy"

"Dylan Hurley, Whitman-Hanson: Strong on-ball defender. Very smart."

"Lillie MacKinnon, Whitman-Hanson: She has great size, length and athleticism. She can guard all five positions and will guard the other teams best player, whether it be a guard or a post. Plays physical and tough and is always up for a challenge. She has anchored W-H defensively."

"Mary Kate Flynn, Hanover: She rebounds, blocks shots and anchors the Hanover defense."

"Ellie Tam, Pembroke: Tenacious on-ball defender. If you dribble to her side of the court, you're in trouble!"

"Autumn O'Campos, North Quincy: Her length is very hard to get around and her athletic ability is something that can not be taught. She can recover quickly and use her length to prevent drives from happening."

6. Who is the best 3-point shooter in the Patriot League?

"Ava Bryan from North Quincy: She has deep range and her quick release is very hard to guard."

"Mackenzie Hohulin from Plymouth North: Lights-out shooter from everywhere, especially from deep. If you leave her open, you’re in trouble. And, even if you contest her shot, she can shoot over you."

"Ava Bryan (North Quincy): Great range and quick release."

"This is a toss up. I would say either Ava Bryan (North Quincy) or Lylah Peters (Duxbury). We see Peters more on the Keenan side so I am going to go with Peters. She is a knock-down shooter with her feet set and you cannot leave her open."

"Ava Bryan (North Quincy): Quick release with deep range."

7. Which Patriot League team will make the best push for the state title?

"Pembroke because of their defense."

"Whitman-Hanson: They are experienced and battle-tested. They have played in a lot of close games this year and have found ways to win. They will be tested in the St. Mary's tournament."

"Whitman-Hanson will be a tough out in Div. 2."

"Quincy: Has great players in every position and very well coached."

"I think Hanover and Whitman-Hanson have a great chance to push for the state title, both teams have experienced coaches that have a great understanding of situational things. They can handle the pressure and have well-rounded teams that know how to win."

8. What is one word that best describes the atmosphere of a Patriot League rivalry game?

"Thrilling."

"Electric."

"Intense."

"Passion or Intensity – In the rivalry games every possession matters and there is a tournament like atmosphere."

"Intense – Stakes are high and every player out there will play like it is their last game."

"Quincy vs. North Quincy."

"Physical."

"Intense."

"Electric."

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: South Shore girls coaches talk Patriot League high school basketball