Coach Mastrangelo – LA’s NEPSAC Entries Appreciate Spartan Nation’s Support
Generally, playoff games need little in the way of hype, but it would be wrong to label Saturday’s NEPSAC Semifinal between The Governor’s Academy and Lawrence Academy as “just another game.”
“We are looking forward to hosting for the first time; the NEPSAC Semifinals,” said LA Head Coach Donna Mastrangelo on the eve of the matchup. “As the #3 seed, Govs is an excellent team who has been coming on strong late in the season.”
What the coach didn’t say is that Lawrence Academy and Gov’s have a long-time rivalry in many, many varsity sports. And, never mind the many heated regular season matchups between the two semifinal squads, the Spartans have faced Governor’s twice in recent NEPSAC quarterfinals, with GA taking the matchup in 2015 and LA emerging victorious in 2015.
“We did not get the job done vs. them on the road a little over a week ago falling short with a score of 40-36,” said Coach Mastrangelo. “It was a battle of a game that did go back and forth.”
But that game was in Byfield, Mass., and on their opponent’s home court.
“Although we know that Gov’s will have great fan support this coming Saturday, now it is our time on our home court,” added Coach Mastrangelo.
Oh, and by the way, there’s a higher prize in store for the winner on Saturday.
“We have not gotten to the Finals since 1995,” explained Coach Mastrangelo. “We want to make it our day and, as a team, get ourselves to that championship contest at Loomis Chaffee on Sunday.”
But there are several factors that weigh into that winning equation, including the strength of their opponents, the natural ebbs and flow of the season, as well as the nature of LA’s academic schedule.
You see, LA heads into Winterim this Monday, and many students may be enjoying a three day weekend with family.
Gov’s, on the other hand, has classes in session on Monday. So, Coach Mastrangelo is calling on her sixth player – Spartan Nation.
“We want to thank everyone for the fan support this past Wednesday during our Quarterfinal contest vs. #7 Williston Northampton,” she said. “It did help tremendously to have that encouragement for our girls.
“We know that this coming Saturday is a busy time with Winterim approaching and with the completion of final grades, but we do hope that the LA community can rally up and cheer on the girls’ basketball team along with the boys’ varsity hockey team [playing at KUA].
Lawrence Academy Head Coach Donna Mastrangelo
“These moments are special and take a great deal of time and commitment,” added Mrs. Mastrangelo. “We hope to see the support for both programs and help these players continue their quests for NEPSAC Championships!”
Good luck to the girls’ basketball team…