Two players from the Oliver Ames girls varsity basketball team, juniors Avery Gamble (right) and Mari Rhodes (left), recently showcased their skills to college recruits during the Eastern Mass. Basketball Showcase held recently at Medfield High School. (Photo courtesy Easton Public Schools)
EASTON — Superintendent Dr. Lisha Cabral and Athletic Director Merry MacDonald are proud to share that two student-athletes from Oliver Ames High School recently shared the spotlight at a regional showcase of standout girls basketball players churned out by public schools.
Junior basketball players Avery Gamble and Mari Rhodes delivered standout performances at the inaugural Eastern Mass. Basketball Showcase held recently at Medfield High School. The event drew 25 of the best players from the 374 schools that belong to the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association.
“It was a great showcase for both of them,” said Oliver Ames Girls Varsity Basketball Coach Brian Costello. “They always represent the community really well. This event was an awesome opportunity to highlight some of the great student-athletes we have in the MIAA and our public schools throughout Massachusetts. It was very well-received.”
The Eastern Mass. Basketball Showcase was the brainchild of Medfield High School Girls Basketball Coach Mark Nickerson, who was looking for a way to drum up some attention among college scouts and recruiters, who are typically more attuned to the talent available at the most elite preparatory schools.
The 40-minute basketball game, which was streamed live online for scouts who could not attend, ended with a score of 86-75. Players were split among two teams, Team Downs and Team Fallon.
Gamble, a two-time Hockomock League All-Star Team player, was the leading point scorer in the game, notching 17 points. And Rhodes put in a “really good” performance, Costello said.
Gamble said she was grateful for the added exposure that came with the Eastern Mass. Basketball Showcase. The shooting guard said she never considered going to a private school to play basketball but is content to be at home competing alongside friends from her hometown while getting a great education.
“I have always loved playing for Oliver Ames because of the friendships I have made and the constant fun I have,” Gamble said. “The program has helped me to realize that basketball is supposed to be enjoyable, and I find it so fun when I play it surrounded by people whose company I thrive in.”
Rhodes agreed, adding that she appreciates how close she and her teammates have become since they played together when they were very young.
“I enjoy playing at OA because I get to play with the girls that I have been playing with since third grade,” Rhodes said. “I am so grateful that I have made such close friendships through the sport I love. Not only does playing with my best friends make it such a great experience, but also having such supportive coaches who care not only about the performance of the team but also the players.”
The Eastern Mass. Basketball Showcase comes after a successful season for the Oliver Ames players and their coach. The Tigers finished last season with a 17-7 record and a deep playoff run, making it to the Division 2 state semifinals before falling to Medfield by a score of 60-46.
Coach Costello was recently named the Girls Division 2 Coach of the Year by the Massachusetts Basketball Coaches Association.
“It’s a huge honor,” Coach Costello said. “We had a great season last year. Any time you get recognition, it’s great. To get it from an organization where your peers make the selection makes it even more special. I’m very lucky to work with the players I have. We have a school district, a building at Oliver Ames, and a community that is unbelievably supportive of athletics, and in particular, girls’ athletics. It’s a really valuable thing. Having a daughter who lives in town, that’s important to me. It’s great for our community and district. It’s always nice to get a personal achievement, but it’s more reflective of what the girls were able to achieve more than anything else.”
Costello called the Eastern Mass. Basketball Showcase “a great springboard” for Gamble and Rhodes into the upcoming season.
The Oliver Ames Girls Varsity Basketball team begins its new season for this school year at 6 p.m. on Dec. 16 at home against Franklin High School.
“We are extremely proud of our student-athletes for continuing to demonstrate the value of the sports programs we offer at our public schools,” said Superintendent Dr. Lisha Cabral. “This is just another example of how our Oliver Ames athletes are able to shine on the biggest stages. We congratulate Coach Costello on his Coach of the Year award and wish Avery, Mari, the rest of the team, and all of our valued student-athletes a very healthy and successful season in class and on the court.”
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