There’s something different about this year’s Long Trail girls varsity basketball team, and it starts with the roster. “This year we have a lot of new faces on the team,” says Head Coach Lindsay Sabo. “We have a lot to work on as a team, but every day we’re getting better and better.”

That mindset of growth through consistent effort is no surprise coming from a program with a strong record of success. Last season, the team finished 17-4, and for the past two years, made it all the way to the championship game. They compete in the Southern Vermont League under the leadership of Coach Lindsay Sabo and Assistant Coach Sam Adams.

Though the current lineup is young, the program’s momentum continues to attract athletes. “I think being successful in the past few years has contributed to the team’s growth this season,” Coach Sabo notes. With 17 players on the roster, including many new athletes, the team is focusing on chemistry and learning what works and what doesn’t in their early season play.

“We’re figuring things out right now,” she says. “The season is definitely a work in progress. We’ve seen some good things already, but we also know there’s a lot to build on.”

Still, the foundation is solid. Last year’s seniors left a mark, especially Olivia Cole-Bugay. “She always played with determination and knew how to help her teammates,” Coach Sabo recalls. That legacy of grit and leadership is something the younger players are working hard to emulate.

When asked what she’s most looking forward to this season, Coach Sabo relays: “Just coming to practice every day and working hard. I’m most excited about our progression as the season goes on.”

With a dedicated coaching staff and a team hungry to grow, the Long Trail girls varsity basketball program continues to be a force, one practice and one game at a time.