The varsity girls’ team has seen a major resurgence in recent years. With the increased talent at the school, the athletic department has expanded by introducing a Varsity II girls’ basketball team, marking a major step forward in the growth of girls’ athletics. 

First-year Head Coach Paul Bonfiglio led the team, bringing a wealth of coaching experience before stepping into the position this year. After playing baseball and hockey in college, Bonfiglio remained close to basketball, playing it in his free time.

Coaching was Bonfiglio’s true calling. He spent 20 years coaching baseball, including a decorated tenure as manager at Westfield State University. In 2024, he was named Manager of the Year in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, further highlighting his success and leadership. In addition to baseball, Bonfiglio also coached basketball for three years before earning the position of head coach of the varsity II girls team.

This season marked the official debut of the varsity II team, which competed against other schools’ top squads. The Gators had a successful first season, finishing 6-6, with notable wins over schools like Newman and Boston Trinity Academy.

Maya Tedrake ‘27 emphasized the characteristics that led to the Gators’ successful season.

“I think the most important part of our team was the relationships we made,” Tedrake said. “We were a really close-knit team–we even had some dinners outside of school and that relationship really helped us in our game because we just trusted each other.” 

Aside from the creation of the team itself, the program also allowed younger players to gain valuable varsity-level experience. This experience helped players to continue developing their skills over the coming years and better prepare them to contribute to the varsity I team in the future.

Tedrake describes some of the important contributions from the younger players on the team. 

“Maya in sixth grade, she was a big impact on our team,” Tedrake said. “She was a really good shooter and we could always get the ball to her, and she was our highest scorer even though she’s so young.”

The young core also helped the team build strong chemistry throughout the season, which played a key role in the team’s success. As the season progressed, players became more comfortable competing at a higher level, showing noticeable improvement in both their confidence and understanding of the game.

The experience gained throughout the year not only benefited the team in the present but also helped lay a strong foundation for the future of the girls’ basketball program.

The debut of the varsity II girls’ basketball team represents an important step in the continued growth of the athletic program. By providing more opportunities for athletes to compete and develop, the program is helping build a stronger future for girls’ basketball at the school.