The girls’ basketball team has embraced the beginning of a journey with a new coach, relying on each other and his teaching.

Coach Kashawn Hampton has been involved with basketball his entire life. He played at Doherty High School and at the Division I level at High Point University. Despite his love for playing, he chose to pursue a different passion.

“I had an opportunity to go overseas to play basketball, but I chose not to,” Hampton said. “I started coaching at Auburn Middle School, transitioned into Bartlett High School, and then from Bartlett into this current role right now.”

Hampton immediately found a home at Algonquin.

“These girls welcomed me with open arms and have been nothing but supportive,” Hampton said. “They’re really developing at a fast pace for us to make some noise down the stretch. We’ve lost some tough ones [games], but what I would say is we’re learning from our mistakes. We’ve got a good group of leaders on our team and we’re going to continue to grow.”

Hampton has used his knowledge to implement new strategies and plans to improve the team. Senior captain Jordan Lambert appreciates the high amount of conditioning and new plays that he puts into practice.

“It’s definitely different this year but it’s been really good on all of us,” Lambert said. “He’s been pushing us a lot.”

Junior Brooke Adams values Hampton’s addition to the team.

“He brings a lot of energy and experience,” Adams said. “He played DI basketball so he knows how it is in college and [he] runs our practices with some drills that he did. We’ve definitely improved a lot on defense.”

Another aspect of the team goes beyond the court. The captains have used the leadership ideals that Hampton instilled in them to encourage one another.

“We do this thing before every game where we huddle in the locker room and we each say our own words and give speeches,” Lambert said. “I feel like we’re doing really well at motivating our team and keeping a positive attitude.”

Senior captain Lilly Morse works to embody the intensity introduced by their new coach.

“We try to keep high energy because if the captains have high energy then everyone else tries to follow suit,” Morse said.

Hampton is also looking to the future and is working to foster a strong, community oriented program.

Boys' basketball shoots for success with new head coach

“One thing we’re doing now is being involved in the community,” Hampton said. “We’ve done some clinics with Northborough and Southborough Youth Basketball and they’re actually going to be coming in and learning the system because these young kids are going to be here one day. By the time they get to high school this will be the place for them.”

As for now, with a record of 6-9, the team is looking to secure a win at home against Wachusett on Friday, Feb. 9.

“I think the girls are doing well with it and we’re continuing to learn, because again, Rome wasn’t built in a day,” Hampton said. “We’re going to continue to proceed and grow as a team, and I think we have a good group that has a lot of potential.”