KIPP girls’ quest for four-peat begins with win

BOSTON – Over the the first three seasons in program history, the KIPP Academy girls? basketball team has developed into a powerhouse, with back-to-back-to-back Massachusetts Charter School Athletic Organization tournament championships.
On Friday evening at UMass-Boston, the top-seeded Panthers took their first step toward a four-peat, defeating No. 4 Foxborough Regional, 59-41.
With top player and co-captain Alex Huffman out because of an injury, KIPP turned to its other five seniors, who will be members of the first class to graduate the charter school.
Along with Huffman, the Panthers will lose Pleilerkay Gaye, Serena High, Marie Kamba, Anaidys Uribe, and co-captain Helen Maldonado to graduation.
?We?ve won this tournament every year since these girls reached high school, so we?re hoping for one more together,” said coach Nat Jones of the group who he has been with since the girls were in middle school.
?They?ve been playing for me for seven years now, so it?s an even bigger deal to me that they?re graduating, considering we?ve been together since they were kids. Today was an impressive start to what hopefully will be one last run to a title.”
KIPP controlled the game from start to finish, never trailing while leading by as many as 19 points. With Huffman watching from the sidelines on crutches, freshman Nayeli Germosen (13 points) was inserted into a starting lineup that never missed a beat.
?(Huffman) got hurt four or five games ago and the team panicked for the first one half we played without her,” said Jones. “Since then they?ve played very well and (Germosen) is a big reason why as she?s filled in very nicely.”
?Obviously we?re better team with (Huffman) on the court, but we?ve managed to beat some very good teams without her. Hopefully she?s ready to go any day now but we?ll continue to prepare for the rest of the tournament as if she won?t be.”
Gaye, who had 10 points in the first half, was involved from the opening tip, which she followed with a rebound and a coast-to-coast run for the game?s opening basket. The Panthers would jump out to a double-digit lead following the first of three treys from High (15 points) at the 10:05 mark.
Gaye finished with a team-high 17 points while Uribe, who Jones deemed the “ultimate role player,” tacked on eight points in the victory.
?(Huffman) is the best player I?ve ever coached but (Gaye) is likely the best athlete I?ve ever had,” said Jones. “She average about 15 points and 15 rebounds this season but every now and then she?ll forgets how awesome of a player she is. Fortunately, that wasn?t the case today.”
High?s shooting prowess was on full display, as she finished with a trio of three-pointers.
?When she?s on her game and making her outside shots we?re very tough to beat,” Jones said.
While their offensive numbers won?t jump off the page, Kamba (center) and Maldonado (power forward) have proved essential to the Panthers? success on the defensive end, particularly in the rebounding department.
?They?re undersized for their positions, but they make up for it with extremely hard work, night in and night out,” said Jones.
In boys’ play, KIPP lost to Davis Leadership Academy, 43-34. Nate Mehu had 16 points to lead KIPP.Matt Fraser may be reached at [email protected].