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Returning Players
From left: Lennon Favreau, Alex Cloutier, Leila MacKinnon and Reegan Reynolds are the four returning varsity players for the Woodstock Academy girls’ basketball team this season. Photo by Marc Allard.
Girls’ basketball
gets fresh start
It’s not a rebuild — it’s a new start for The Woodstock Academy girls’ basketball program.
The Centaurs return only four players from last year’s varsity roster and only three of them played minutes in the 2020-21 season.
“We’ve basically wiped everything clean and are overhauling the program with a fresh, new start,” said coach Will Fleeton.
Of course, that new start could be derailed if COVID rears its ugly head again.
The Centaurs finished 3-6 in the abbreviated regular season a year ago and lost their ECC postseason “experience” game.
Gone from that team are the four seniors, Peyton Saracina (4.1 points per game, 7-3’s); Kaitlin Birlin (3.9 rebounds per game); Alexa Pechie (5.9 ppg, 6-3’s) and Sara Cotillo.
Several players also opted to not return. What Fleeton does have back? Several good athletes. Juniors Leila MacKinnon and Lennon Favreau play multiple sports as does sophomore Reegan Reynolds.
Reynolds, a 5-foot, 8-inch sophomore, is the top returning scorer as she put down just under four points per game last season.
Alex Cloutier, a 5-9 junior, will join Reynolds in the front court with MacKinnon, at 5-6 and also a junior, in the back court.
Favreau was injured last season. The 5-7 junior will be a swing player.
Newcomers include: 5-7 junior Avery Collins; 5-8 sophomore Kerry Blais; 5-6 sophomore Kayla Leite; 5-5 sophomore Maddie Brown; 5-7 freshman forward/guard Sophia Sarkis and 5-10 freshman Eve Monahan.
That size will be helpful, not necessarily small or huge, but better than average and that length combined with the athleticism will be a strength of the team.
But while his team is young, with little experience, Fleeton is not concerned about the lack of leadership.
MacKinnon admits the team has been tested early with the COVID exposure that put some players on the shelf for a bit.
But she is excited that the stands will again be occupied.
The Centaurs played in Div. I of the ECC in 2019-20, were winless in the division and 7-14 overall. As a result, the league moved Woodstock to Div. II. The Centaurs will have to contend with the likes of Bacon Academy, Killingly, Waterford and Ledyard.
“Those are four of the better teams in the league,” Fleeton said. “I think we belong in Division II, but maybe not this year."
Fleeton would like to see his team make the state tournament but also has some goals as far as positives for the team including, hopefully, to see everyone return next season since the team doesn’t have any seniors this year.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
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