By Ryan Massad, Contributing Writer
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Tori Flahive
School: Westborough High School
Grade: Senior
Sport: Basketball
Coach: Scott Kittredge
Notable Achievement: Ranks in the top 5 for points per game in the Midland B conference, averaging 12.2 points per game this season.
What are your earliest basketball memories?
“My earliest basketball memories are playing in the Ashland tournaments in fourth and fifth grade. It was the first time that a group of my friends and I played together in games that were actually semi-competitive. The winners got t-shirts at the end, so that was exciting.”
Do you recall the first tryouts/practices at Westborough High School? What were those like?
“The first tryouts and practices that I went to were fairly standard. There was a lot of running, layups, dribbling and shooting. Tryouts my freshman year were pretty intimidating, playing with all of the older kids that I’d never went to school with, but overall, the first practices and tryouts were fun.”
Which coach has particularly encouraged you to succeed?
“I’ve learned something from all of the coaches throughout the years. My biggest inspiration for a coach would probably be Tom Simms, who coached an AAU [Amateur Athletic Union] team that I once played on. He was the most competitive coach I’ve ever had, and was really great at motivating my teammates and I. He was very passionate about the game, and knew a lot. His passion and competitiveness spread through the team, and made me work harder, and play smarter.”
Which teammate has it been easiest to relate to?
“I’ve been playing with the same group of girls since fourth grade, so we get along pretty well, and have a good feel for how each other plays. I probably best relate to my teammate Catherine Martin, who is a family friend that I’ve grown up with. We play well together on the court, and have always had a lot of fun playing together.”
What was the most special game during your high school career?
“I think the most special and exciting game that I’ve played in was this year, a few weeks ago against Nashoba [Regional High School]. They have a really great team, who made it to state tournament last year. We played them this year, and lost on a buzzer beater by one point. It was a competitive game that was a lot of fun to play in. We’re always competing with Nashoba for the league title, and they are always competitive games that I love playing in.”
What is your favorite professional basketball team?
“I don’t really watch any basketball, but my favorite pro sports team is the Boston Bruins. Hockey is a really fast-paced, fun sport to watch. My favorite player is Patrice Bergeron.”
What is your favorite class in school, and why?
“My favorite class in school is sociology, because I like analyzing certain demographics and statistics to draw conclusions about society. It’s a fascinating subject, and my teacher is very knowledgeable.”
Have you considered playing basketball in college next year?
“I’ve considered playing basketball in college, but I know that I want to pursue a career in architecture, which is a really time-consuming major, so I think I’m going to focus on that. If I have free time, I might try to play in the future. I do plan on playing club sports or intramurals.”
What do you hope for the future of girls’ basketball at WHS?
“I hope the WHS basketball program continues to grow and be a strong team. I hope girls continue to be interested in basketball, and have a lot of fun playing the sport, because the friendships and qualities that you develop from playing sports are so important. I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to experience playing sports at Westborough High School.”