The Wilbraham & Monson Academy Girls' Basketball team closed its 2016-17 season with a win ... at home.
At Commencement May 27, Coach Durelle Brown's senior-led team claimed the Academy's prestigious Trustees Cup, given to the program that excels on the field and in the classroom, and also participates in community service.
Coach Brown said he didn't know his Titans were going to win their first Trustees Cup, however, "As I continued to listen to the credentials (Athletic Director) Mr. (Don) Nicholson was naming, I started thinking, 'Holy cow, this is us.' I had an immense sense of pride."
The Girls' Basketball team had a great campaign, going 16-4 in the regular season to earn the No. 3 seed in the New England Prep School Girls' Basketball Association Class C tournament. WMA beat Kimball Union Academy in a quarterfinal at home before falling to No. 2 seed St. Andrew's School on the road in a semifinal.
The 2016-17 school year saw a number of athletic programs jump to the next level, which made the win all that more impressive and satisfying for Girls' Basketball.
"There's nothing like being recognized by your own community," Coach Brown said. "In a year that saw a ton of fantastic teams – Football, Boys' Lacrosse, Riflery – it's a testament to the girls because they work so hard in the classroom. We had a 3.6 GPA. We did community service and loved doing it. And they were good girls in our community. I think they're positive influences and good citizens of WMA."
The Titans hosted clinics for boys ages 6-16 associated with the Black Men of Greater Springfield, as well as the St. Cecilia CYO 3-4 grade girls' team.
"In both lights," Coach Brown said, "the girls were great giving back to their community and giving their time."
This year's roster included: Meera Miller '17, Annika Bruce '17, Jenny English '17, Katie Cronin '17, Courtney Thrun '17, Alex Garrison '18, Kayla Mokwuah '18, Jada Childs '19, Leilani Bennett '19 and Julia Puppolo '20.