Nashua girls return talent, will vie for top spots in conference

The Nashua girls' basketball team got to work Monday night and should have a strong team this season that will compete with some of the top teams in District 3C.

The Porcupines will be deep this season, having received an influx of participants for this year's team. Five players who saw starting minutes last season will be returning, including four seniors, Cassidy Sibley, Rachel McMurry, Janet Tahista and Darby Borgen. Alexa Barnes, a junior, also started a few games last season and should give the team another boost this year.

The extra bodies on the team should help the depth this season. Thirteen girls showed up to Monday's practice, which will keep the legs fresh on a small team that will have to keep up with big dogs like Saco at least twice this season.

“In the past we've had eight, nine (players),” head coach Darin McMurry said. “That makes it tough to practice. This year, with running a JV schedule where we can, and varsity, they'll have a chance to really compete for playing time. But if they want to play they have to show it here in practice.”

The Porcupines stack up well against the conference brass, and should have a strong case for second place in the conference this season. To get to the top the girls will need to knock off defending champ Saco, who returns all of its starters and picks up some strong players in its co-op with Whitewater this season. With the rest of the conference rebuilding there leaves a gap for the next strongest team, and Nashua should have a chance to nose its way into that conversation.

“I think we still should be able to compete in being one of those top two or three slots for sure,” McMurry said. “I'm excited about it.”
The Porcupines open their season at home on Saturday, Dec. 5, against Dodson.