More times than not when a team goes 25-2 and makes it to the state Final Four as Cambridge did just a year ago, the graduation stage in June forces a rebuild the following season.  And while the Indians graduated four players that will be missed in Helen Mooney, Grace Snyder, Victoria Dupuis and Haley Herrington, the cupboard is certainly not bare for head coach Bob Phillips.

Phillips, who assisted Tony Bochette last season, welcomes back five players who did some heavy lifting for the Indians a year ago. 

Senior Brecke Gifford, junior Rhiannon Darling, and sophomores Fiona Mooney, Lilly Phillips and Sophie Phillips all played key rolls with the trio of 10th graders starting last year as freshmen.

This core of players will provide leadership for this year’s Cambridge squad that has pleased Phillips through the preseason.

“I’ve enjoyed getting into the gym each day with a group of girls who really push each other and like to compete.”  Phillips continued, “They are hard workers who like to get better and compete against each other daily.”

When asked what the keys for success would be for his Indians Phillips responded, “To play all out, up tempo basketball with a strong defensive mentality.”

Their roster of nine is young to be sure, comprised of a pair of seniors, one junior, five sophomores and a freshman, but Phillips adds, “They’re all very coachable and hungry to compete.”

As for the top contenders in this years league race Phillips sited Hoosic Valley, Mechanicville, Hoosick Falls and Tamarac.

And from my perspective certainly Cambridge who checks all the boxes as a skilled, athletic, and despite their youth, experienced squad, mixed with a tremendous desire to compete which puts Cambridge at or near the top in the always competitive Wasaren.