Lady Panthers start 3-0

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By ALEX SPONSELLER

The Johnston girls basketball team is off to a nice start in the new Division IV this winter season as it won its first two league games to improve to 3-0.

The Panthers won a thriller last weekend when they beat visiting Providence Country Day 38-36. Steph Bruno would sink the game-winner with 10 seconds left to snag the win for Johnston.

“We’re off to a good start. Not where we want to be by the time we finish the season, but we’re making progress towards that. In our first couple of games, we’ve played a good first half but struggled in the second or vice versa. We’re looking to play a full 32 minutes as a team without any sort of drop off. I think that it’s good that we have been exposed to these tight games early in the season. Being in those situations only helps our confidence,” said Johnston coach Meg Reall.

The Panthers are back to being a one-school team after co-op’ing with North Providence last winter. After a down season in 2021-22, the Panthers are looking to turn things around and make a statement in their new division. 

“It’s less hectic, it makes things (easier) logistics wise. The girls program at Johnston over the past couple of years has struggled so we’re trying to restore that Johnston pride,” said Reall. “I think us being back by ourselves and hopefully having a successful season will help do that. These seniors are my first four-year seniors, so it’s important that they see the hard work that they’ve been putting in is paying off.”

Bruno and Hannah Calabro are the team’s two senior captains this season. The Panthers also return key players like Ava Waterman, Hannah Lavergne, Riley Guenette and Aubree Allen, while freshman Annabella Gesualdi has made an early impact as well.

Reall has been pleased with the senior leadership.

“I met with (Bruno and Calabro) at the beginning of the season and told them what I expect from them, and they’ve been doing an amazing job as my two captains. They are leading by example and reiterating to the team what our common goal is. Our returning players have done a great job,” said Reall.

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