The girls basketball team is nearing the end of the regular season, posting a record of 15-2. Led by lone senior Izzy Lipinski, the team looks to prove themselves as they row their way towards Mohegan Sun and the Class L championship.
This year, the phrase that the team has embraced is “Row the Boat,” represented by the paddle that sits court-side of every game. The paddle has each player’s name and number, a list of the scores from each game, as well as a single word that is used to summarize how the game went.
“The paddle bonds the team together and gives us a common goal that links us even when we’re not together on the court. The phrases [written after every game] help us reflect on the past and help us
to move forward,” varsity coach Keith Garbart said.
This year’s team is composed of a strong junior class as well as a strong group of underclassmen. Lipinski has been able to lead the team by example both on and off the court over the course of the season. In addition, she is the team’s leading scorer to date.
“Going forward we need to continue to work hard in practices. We’ve been able to stay focused by really sticking to a ‘one game at a time’ mentality and playing the defense we know we can; defense wins
games, and winning games wins championships,” Lipinski said.
After a tough loss to number one seed RHAM, Farmington rebounded on the road beating Conard 59-41. Lipinski was a major contributor in the win against Conard, she posted 30 points leading the Indians to victory. Farmington finishes up their season with four consecutive home games, all of which are “must-win” games for the Indians in order to secure a higher seed.
“Winning these last few games is important because we need to carry momentum into the CCC and state tournament. The better our record, the more likely we are to have a home game, which can be a huge advantage in the long run,” freshman Emma Novajasky.