By Marc Thaler
Staff Writer

Judging by smiling seniors Nicky Rennie and Kaitlyn Schmidt, nothing that happens to the Pembroke Academy Spartans on the basketball court in 2004-05 will come as a surprise or break the squad’s collective spirit.

Returning to Class I after a tough two-year stint taking on the giant schools across the Granite State, the ladies of PA have seen – and experienced – it all. “Getting beat on for two years in Class L, we’re happy to be back in a league where we can really compete,” said PA head coach Rose Galligan.

VETERAN LEADERSHIP– The Spartans will look to seniorcaptains – from left, Nicky Rennie, Kaila Gray and Kaitlyn Schmidt – to spark an experienced group in Pembroke’s return to Class I hoops after two years of struggle in Class L. (Marc Thaler Photo)

The Spartans return every player from a year ago. Stacked with upperclassmen, the current edition will call upon the services of six seniors, four juniors and two sophomores, making Galligan’s girls an entertaining group to watch this winter.

“This season should be a lot of fun for us,” said Rennie, one of three PA captains along with Schmidt and Kaila Gray. “We know each other really well, and we know how each other likes to play. Those are huge factors.”

That sense of familiarity among PA’s players is a major reason the Spartans have high expectations for themselves this season.

“We hope to make the playoffs this year,” Schmidt said. “In Class L, it was so tough for us to win. Now, we’re actually with teams (of comparable talent).”

Speaking of skills, the captains said they hope the team’s experience in Class Lwill help enhance the firepower PA brings to the floor this year. Although the girls were admittedly overmatched on most nights the last two years, their ability to remain composed and continue to have fun proved extremely important.

“It helped to not look up at the scoreboard,” Rennie said laughing. “Instead, we used the time to just work on our own game. It made us more aware of what we needed to do as players.”

Schmidt said every opponent the Spartans faced in that two-year span was physical and aggressive. The Spartans understand they need to adopt that style of play to be successful this season.

“They’re very attentive,” Galligan said. “They’re eager to learn, they hustle and they’re very focused.”

Along with the captains, PA’s roster includes assistant coach Carla Gallivan; seniors Abby Benner, Jess Farley and Jill Martel; juniors Kaitlin Carroll, Allison Miner, Kayleigh Robertson and Kelly Thomas; and sophomores Jordan Turnbull and Jess Vincent.

“They work well together,” Galligan said. “They are very supportive of each other, whether a kid is a starter or coming in off the bench to fill a role.”

PA plans to push the ball up court all year. With several multi-sport athletes on the roster, conditioning shouldn’t be a problem. Of course, they hope it is for the competition.

Offensively, Thomas is the focal point of the PA attack. As a sophomore last season, she led the Spartans in points scored, assists and steals with 253, 66 and 89, respectively.

Galligan said Thomas is aware opposing defenses will try to neutralize her, which means PA’s premiere playmaker will have to set up teammates with easy opportunities if the Spartans are to be successful.

“We’ve talked a lot about the mark of good teams,” Galligan said. “Good teams are also patient and they’ll let things develop.”

Defensively, Miner and Robertson will look to pair up and create a presence in the paint. In ‘03-‘04, Miner led the Spartans in rebounding with 131 boards, while Robertson turned away a team-high 49 shots.

Still, every player is expected to perform in a league that’s 10 teams deep with title contenders. And although the Spartans are 1-2 out of the gate, they were a pair of possessions from a 3-0 start through Friday, Dec. 10.

PA dropped its season opener to perennial power John Stark of Weare by just three points, 48-45, on Nov. 30. In their home opener on Wednesday, Dec. 8, PA held a 48-47 lead against Merrimack Valley before the visitors hit a three-point bucket with 3.1 seconds remaining to close the contest.

However, the girls rebounded nicely two days later, picking up their first win of the season at Fall Mountain on Dec. 10, 45-37.

“I think a lot of teams aren’t expecting us to do much in Class I,” Schmidt said. “We’d like to give them a run for their money.”