The seventh-seeded Nashoba girls basketball team traveled to Clark University on Monday, March 5, 2018 for their District Semifinal game. After defeating the second-seeded Ashland girls’ basketball team in the quarterfinals on the previous Saturday, Nashoba fought to continue riding a four-game winning streak deeper into playoffs.

When asked about the strategy for Monday’s game against Medway, Sophomore guard Caylie McMahon said, “Our game plan is to just play our game, not listen to the crowd, and just be where our feet are.” She also added, “[Medway has] some good players, but we have spent lots of time this week watching film, so we know their game inside and out.”

As the teams lined up at center court for tip-off, the respective crowds for Nashoba and Medway filed into the Kneller Athletic Center. At halftime, the Chieftains led the Clockers 24-17. They extended their lead to thirteen with a 6-0 run to start the second half, but Medway cut the lead to six by the end of the third quarter.

With three minutes left, Medway tied up the game, and with a jump shot by freshman forward, Lauren Beach, with 16.7 seconds remaining, Medway took the lead by one point. The score stayed the same for the rest of the game with Medway winning with a score of 46-45.

Coming off the season-ending loss, senior captain, Madison Richard, reflected on the successes of this year’s season: “Towards the end of the season, our team came together and started playing together and for each other.” She also added that first year Nashoba coach, Christina Seabury “really cared about us as individuals and… helped us focus on our strengths.” Richard went on to speak of the off-court highlights and some of the events that helped strengthen the team’s bond: “We [did] a lot of pasta dinners…played lazer tag… and we had a team sleepover.”

Only losing by one point, the Nashoba girls’ basketball team has shown that, with practice and perseverance, their goals are within reach.