Despite a challenging record, the 2025–26 season for the New England Tigers girls’ basketball team was defined more by growth than wins and losses.
Under first-year head coach Juliana Peterson, the Tigers finished 2-21, but the numbers only tell part of the story. With a roster made up of just two seniors, one junior, and a large group of underclassmen, the team entered the season facing a steep learning curve at the varsity level.
From day one, Peterson introduced a new system that required players to adjust quickly to the speed and physicality of varsity basketball. While results were hard to come by early, the team steadily improved as the season progressed.
“The effort was there every single day,” Peterson said. “This group showed resilience and a willingness to learn, which is exactly what you want from such a young team.”
The Tigers focused on building fundamentals, developing confidence, and understanding the game at a higher level. Practices emphasized skill development and teamwork, and players responded with noticeable improvement over the course of the season.
Though victories were limited, the foundation laid this winter could pay dividends in the future. With nearly the entire roster expected to return, the experience gained this season positions the Tigers for continued growth.
In a season marked by adversity, the New England girls proved that progress isn’t always measured on the scoreboard—but in the determination to keep getting better every day.