Wakefield names captains for next season
WAKEFIELD — The Middlesex League’s girls’ basketball coaches recently voted on All-Stars for the 2021-22 season. The Wakefield High girls’ basketball team had three All-Stars named: Senior captains Sophie Brown and Ashlee Purcell and junior captain Emma Shinney.
Brown, a four-year varsity player, earned her first All-Star nod.
“If you want to create a winning culture, you need people like Sophie Brown in your program – tough, intelligent, relentless and unselfish,” said Wakefield head coach Jason Pavey. “Sophie did whatever we asked of her. She is undoubtedly the glue that held the team together.
“She actually started her career on the varsity playing point guard. By the time she was a senior, we needed her to defend players in the post. Sophie took on that challenge and became one of the best defensive players in the league. Her offensive numbers don’t pop out, but it was great to see the other coaches in the league recognize her value to our team and name her an ML All Star.”
Four-year varsity player Purcell is now a two-time ML All-Star.
“Ashlee is a one-player press,” said Pavey. “She led the team in steals/deflections (174) and that often resulted in layups. She led the team in scoring as well. Her speed and athleticism made her really difficult for teams to play against.
“It always seemed like when Ashlee got a steal and converted on the other end, those were such big momentum swings for us. She just had a knack for doing that exactly when we needed it. But it’s not just speed and athleticism with Ashlee. She’s super tough and competitive. Over her career, she worked to develop a 3 point shot and become a better passer. When you combine that with her natural abilities, it makes for one special player and kid.”
Shinney got her second All-Star award in her third varsity season. She was the team’s second-leading scorer and led the Warriors in assists and 3-pointers.
“Emma has started every game since her freshman year,” said Pavey. “She’s really talented offensively and her on the ball defense is one of the best in the league.
“She saved her best for last. Her playoff performance against a very good Bedford team was everything we needed and what Emma is all about: tough defense, playing with energy and clutch shooting. She finished that game with 18 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. She was the best player on the court that night and proved why she’s an All-Star.”
Wakefield finished the year as Freedom Division Co-champions with a regular season record of 14-6. The Warriors got the No. 15 seed in the D2 statewide tournament and beat Bedford in a first-round home game before falling to 2nd-seed Medfield in the Sweet 16.
The Warriors held their annual banquet recently where they presented team awards, named new captains and thanked their seven seniors.
Along with Purcell and Brown, captain Hannah Hill, Taylor Campbell, Emma Greatorex, Elena Lotti and Riley Suntken will move on after great careers for Wakefield girls’ basketball.
“Overall, this senior class has a lot to be proud of,” said Pavey. “They are leaving the program in a better place than when they found it and that’s not anecdotal. Every year, over four years, they improved the win total. It’s a great group of kids who we’re proud of and are definitely going to miss.”
At the banquet, Shinney, junior Mia Forti and sophomore Emma Quinn were named captains for next season.
For team awards, Purcell and Shinney were named Co-MVP’s; Purcell was Defensive Player of the Year; Brown won the Warrior Award and freshmen Brooklyn Calder and Aliza Margolis were Most Improved.
The Warriors led the All-Star balloting in the Freedom Division with three selections. Watertown, Burlington and Melrose each had two All-Stars. Stoneham and Wilmington each had one.
