The Marblehead High girls basketball team (8-7) is rounding into form, and just in time as it pursues a Division 2 state tournament berth. The Magicians battled a good Masco team throughout on Feb. 9 before losing, 40-33. They then took care of Gloucester at home on Feb. 14, 46-35.
The game against the Chieftains was a complete reversal from the first time the Marblehead girls faced Masco this season, when they lost by 40.
“The second time around we had more field goals (15-11) than them, but (Masco) made more free throws (13) to our none out of six attempts,” said coach Paul Moran. “We were aggressive in this game, and at times that hurt us.”
Masco only led by two at halftime, 20-18. Leading the way for Marblehead to keep things close was Samantha Dormer with 10 points. Freshman Tess Andriano was next in line with eight points, followed by Maddie Forbes with four, Katie Pyne three and Ramona Gillette, Katie Burns and Carlin McGowan two apiece.
The Magicians started slowly against Gloucester, trailing 9-4 after one quarter. But they picked up the pace in the second quarter to lead at halftime, 17-14.
“We started to put the pressure on against a good Gloucester team in the second quarter to overtake them,” said Moran.
Andriano was the top scorer against the Fishermen with 15 points. Burns, a junior, played her best all-around game this year to help lead teammates past Gloucester, according to Moran. She ended up accounting for six points and 15 rebounds. Sara Bosio chipped in with 12 points. Dormer netted 10. Stella Monaco finished with two points.
As the Marblehead girls work their way toward a postseason berth, they have been energized by two Italian exchange students — Giorgia Dalla Valle and Sara Bosio — who helped them become a cohesive unit that has challenged the opposition as the calendar has flipped to a new year.
Both players recently took time between practices to answer the following questions for the Marblehead Current on their experiences playing on an American high school sports team.
Giorgia Dalla Valle
How long have you been playing basketball, and on what teams and leagues, and how did it help you get ready for high school? Did you play any other sports, and what did you like about basketball over the other sports?
I used to play basketball when I was little. I played for about five years on a team in Italy called BFM, which stands for Basket Femminile Milano, where I learned all the fundamentals of this great sport. I unfortunately had to quit at the beginning of high school because of COVID, but I am happy that now here I have the opportunity to do it again.
I also used to play tennis, but I don’t like it as much because I love the support, excitement and warmth that only a team sport can give.
What is it like to play in the girls basketball program? And what is it like to play for coach Paul Moran? What are some of your favorite team and individual memories?
I’m an exchange student here at Marblehead High School coming from Italy, but even though I have not been here that long I have been having a great time. I have been working hard with the team and coach Paul Moran, who is teaching us new skills while at the same time always having fun. I don’t think I have a specific favorite memory, but I definitely like all the talks in the locker room before games, and all the happiness and cheering after winning games.
Do you play any other sports at the high school?
I played volleyball in the fall.
Have you decided on a college, and what’s your major? And what are your future ambitions?
I am not sure what I want to do after high school just yet; I am still trying to figure it out.
The Dalla Valle Files
Full name: Giorgia Dalla Valle
Age: 17
Parents: Valentina Pagani Donadelli and Zenone Dalla Valle
Siblings and their ages: I have a brother Leonardo, who is 14
Favorite TV show: “Friends”
Favorite movie: “La La Land”
Favorite book: “Eppure Cadiamo Felici” by Enrico Galiano, an Italian author
Favorite subject: Latin
Favorite athlete, and why: My favorite athlete is Bebe Vio, who is an amazing athlete from Italy who has inspired me so much throughout my whole life. When she was 11, because of an illness, her arms and legs were amputated, but this did not make her give up on life. She worked hard to become a foil specialist in fencing, which led her to great heights as a Paralympic, world and European champion.
Sara Bosio
How long have you been playing basketball, and on what teams and leagues, and how did it help you get ready for high school? Did you play any other sports, and what did you like about basketball over the other sports?
I’ve played basketball in Italy for seven years. I started when I was 10 and played on a boys team for one year before going to a girls team named Basket Venaria. I’ve played on it for five years, and there I learned all the fundamentals of basketball. But my biggest improvement started when I was 15 when I switched teams again with all my teammates. While I was playing for Pallacanestro Moncalieri, I started to learn how to play basketball at a high level. My defense improved, and also my offensive moves and vision became better. When I was younger, I also played tennis and swam, but when I started playing basketball it became immediately my favorite sport. I started to play it because my father played basketball his whole life, and my best friend was a member of my team.
Have you been on any championship teams?
While playing on Basket Venaria and Pallacanestro Moncalieri, we as one team finished second in our region four years in a row, and last year we were really close to going to the state championship game, but we lost our last game that was going to permit us to participate.
What is it like to play in the MHS girls basketball program? And what is it like to play for coach Paul Moran? What are some of your favorite team and individual memories?
I’ve been on the team for just a couple of months, and it has been an incredible experience. I love all my teammates, and I’m very happy to be a part of this group. I really enjoyed playing for coach Moran, who made me improve a lot, even in this short amount of time.
My favorite memories from this year are the trip to Florida that we did before Christmas break, where I had the opportunity to get to know my teammates better, and when we went to the TD Garden to play on the (parquet) court.
Do you play any other sports at MHS?
During the fall season, I was a part of the cross-country team.
Have you decided on a college, and what’s your major? And what are your future ambitions?
I haven’t decided on a college just yet, because next year I will attend another year of high school back in Italy, but when I graduate there I’ll probably attend the medical school in Turin, where I live.
The Bosio Files
Full name: Sara Bosio
Age: 17
Parents: Francesca Tagliapietra and Roberto Bosio
Siblings and their ages: sister Giulia, who is 19
Favorite TV show: “Grey’s Anatomy”
Favorite movie: “Coach Carter”
Favorite book: “The Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Favorite subject: Biology
Favorite athlete: Bebe Vio, and she is an Italian Paralympic athlete, who at the age of 11 underwent several amputations of all her limbs, but this didn’t stop her from being a fencer. She ended up winning two gold medals at the Paralympics and four more at the world championships.
