BEACON FALLS — The Woodland girls basketball team has a steady, fearless point guard in junior captain Cameron Caswell. They have two able-bodied defenders in sophomores Jen Triana and Jenna Pannone. The Hawks also possess one of the league’s top post players in junior captain Carla Piccolo.
However, when Woodland struggles on defense, when the rebounds get tough to come by or when the offense needs a boost, the Hawks need to look no further than captain and all-around, go-to player Becky Hale — the only senior on the team.
“Being the only senior I just want to show good leadership qualities,” Hale said. “I would like to lead us back to the states, but more importantly to have fun and for all of us to get along.”
Judging from her stature, most teams wouldn’t bother to give her presence on the court too much concern. But, what they don’t see is the heart of a player who has developed the keen ability over the past four years to fuel the Hawks.
“Becky has been a model student-athlete,” Woodland head coach Jess Moffo said. “She is a leader on the court and in the classroom. Not only is she a class act, she has a wonderful sense of humor in practice, bus rides, pasta dinners, whatever we are doing. She keeps things fun.”
The Hawks go-to player burst on the scene as a sophomore when she got everyone’s attention with seven points against Torrington in the quarterfinals of the NVL tournament.
Her role expanded in her junior year, and with the added minutes came added production.
That production came in a variety of forms.
Hale averaged 6.3 points per game, but what was most eye-catching was her other attributes that bailed the team out on a game by game basis.
In an overtime win against Naugatuck, Hale scored only seven points but made sure the game ended up in the win column securing nine rebounds, including four boards in overtime.
Against Ansonia last season, the Hawks needed a boost on defense. Although Hale dropped 12 points, she also found time to come away with five steals that stopped the Chargers offense in its tracks.
Scoring in double-digits was never really a problem for Hale, but she also possesses the ability to simply take over a game.
Last season in a win over Seymour, Hale scored 12 points — all in the fourth quarter.
“Becky has dedicated herself the last four years to Woodland basketball and she bleeds back and gold,” Moffo said. “As a coach you really appreciate that kind of player. She has taken the younger players under her wing. I have never seen a player with a bigger heart than Becky and she will do anything for the betterment of the team.”
Hale once again turned up the intensity last Friday and took over the game versus Naugatuck.
Woodland held a seven-point led at halftime. Hale led the Hawks on a 21-6 surge coming out of the locker room. She scored 11 of her 16 points in the third quarter to put the game away. It wasn’t about the game-high 16 points. It was the place in time that changed the entire complexion of the game.
“I knew being the only senior this year I needed to step up,” Hale said. “I needed to just go out and do what needs to be done. Rebounding, assists, steals, scoring, whatever we needed I wanted to make sure I did the best I could to make these things happen.”
Hale, who wants to study business, is looking at attending Springfield College after she graduates and may try out as a walk-on if she does. But academics will take precedence.
She’s also looking at the University of Connecticut and Penn State University.
A 42-21 loss to Watertown on Tuesday knocked the Hawks (5-13) out of contention for a states playoff berth with two games left to go. But it wasn’t for a lack of effort — particularly from their senior leader.
