In the ensuing text, Marblehead High girls basketball captains Olivia Goldwater, Ramona Gillett and Maddie Forbes answered questions posed by the Marblehead Current on life as a Marblehead athlete through the years.
Olivia Goldwater
When did you get involved in playing sports? Was there a person or persons who were instrumental in encouraging you to play?
I have been involved in playing sports since I was about 3. I started with youth soccer and have continued playing it ever since. I began playing basketball in the sixth grade when Ramona’s (Gillett) dad formed a team. I started playing lacrosse in the second grade, and picked it back up again in the sixth grade.
Both my parents were instrumental in encouraging me to play any and every sport. My mom is from Maryland and was big on lacrosse and soccer, and my dad played basketball all through high school, while turning to soccer in college.
Through the years, did your teams win any championships or competed for one, and in what league?
My teams have never won a championship, but I have competed in tournaments almost every year. My high school lacrosse teams have competed in the state tournament in 2022 and 2023. My soccer team competed in the postseason last fall, while we always made it in basketball every year.
What’s your favorite sport, and specifically what do you like about basketball?
My favorite sport is probably lacrosse, because I love playing outside and it’s so fast-paced. But I also like basketball, because the season is always so intense, which brings us together as a team. I also love basketball because it requires such mental and physical strength. It’s always a good workout, and the team is so supportive. You become really close with your teammates because there are only five players on the court at one time, and everyone has to do everything. I also love the strategy in it.
What were some memorable highlights for you as a high school athlete in any sport?
As an athlete, some of my favorite memories include the basketball trip to Florida in my sophomore year, playing on the TD Garden court this year and beating Masco in lacrosse during my sophomore season. All of those moments were so much fun for team energy.
How’d you describe coach Paul Moran, and what type of coach was he in your development as an athlete?
Coach Moran was a really great coach to play for. He’s definitely a tough coach in terms of his work ethic, but there’s no doubt that his knowledge of the game is so far above almost every other high school basketball coach. He’s also such a caring person and always puts the team first, while making sure we were prepared for every game. We knew exactly what had to be done to win.
Over the years, Coach showed me personally what it means to work hard. He always told us that we had to work for our wins, and as a team lacking talent for the most part, we really did work for every win. I owe him a large debt of gratitude for making me a better person and athlete.
Who are your parents and siblings, and did they have any influence on you in your desire to play sports?
My parents are John and Erika. My siblings are Bennett (13) and Mitchell (16). My whole family plays sports, and my parents certainly did have an influence on our involvement in sports.
Have you chosen a college yet, and will sports be a part of it? Do you have a major and career choice in mind?
I haven’t chosen a college as of yet. I’ve been accepted to UVA (University of Virginia) but am still waiting on Georgetown University. I plan on majoring in economics and would like to work in the international business world. While in college, I’d like to pursue an MBA and then a JD (Juris Doctorate) to possibly go into corporate law. I plan to play club lacrosse and basketball on the next level.
What are your lasting impressions of the MHS girls basketball program, and what advice would you give to your successors?
I love the MHS girls basketball program. It’s really supportive and successful, because of Paul and the captains that came before us. I think next year’s captains should not be afraid to advocate for their teammates. But overall, I think they will be really successful next year. Our injured point guard Ainsley (Macdonald) will be back, and with the returning talent of next year’s seniors — Samara (Dosch), Tessa (Andriano) and Greta (Sachs) — leading the way, there’s no doubt in my mind they can go a long way in the state tournament.
Ramona Gillett
When did you get involved in playing sports? Was there a person or persons who were instrumental in encouraging you to play?
I don’t remember the exact age, but it was fairly early. My parents definitely helped me get into sports, but after that I loved playing them so much, I didn’t want to stop. I first began playing soccer and lacrosse, before taking up basketball in the fourth grade.
Through the years, did your teams win any championships or competed for one, and in what league?
While none of my teams won any championships, I remember winning a tournament with my sixth-grade basketball team, and that will always be a great memory for me.
What’s your favorite sport, and specifically what do you like about basketball?
I couldn’t pick a favorite. I love both lacrosse and basketball. They have given me amazing memories and friendships.
I like the intensity of basketball because I think it’s played at a perfect pace and is something that will never bore me.
What were some memorable highlights for you as a high school athlete in any sport?
I played on the varsity basketball team for three years but began practicing with them in my freshman year. My memorable basketball highlights have to include traveling to Florida with the boys team during my sophomore season, which created such funny and memorable moments that I’ll never forget.
But overall, it’s the friends that I’ve made playing high school sports that I will always cherish.
How’d you describe coach Paul Moran, and what type of coach was he in your development as an athlete?
I would describe Paul as a very caring person. He puts a lot of time into the team, and also cares about us throughout the entire year. I think he has helped me develop as an athlete by teaching me how to push myself, and also the effort it takes to do well.
Who are your parents and siblings, and did they have any influence on you in your desire to play sports?
My parents are Whitney and Mike, and I have three siblings — Fehr, Wells and Haddie.
I definitely think my older siblings played a huge role in me playing sports. I also think my brother, in particular, who plays football at Franklin & Marshall College (in Lancaster, Pennsylvania), has especially influenced my love for competition.
Since we were little, we have been competing, whether in video games or just a game of horse, and I was always determined to win.
Have you chosen a college yet, and will sports be a part of it? Do you have a major and career choice in mind?
I will be attending Bucknell University in the fall, and hope to go into the business world.
What are your lasting impressions of the MHS girls basketball program, and what advice would you give to your successors?
I will forever love the MHS girls basketball program, and will always be incredibly grateful for being a part of it.
I hope (our successors) have learned from us on how to be confident and how to come together as a team, not to mention go all out on the court, while also having fun. But beyond that, I think the team will be amazing next year. They have a lot of talent, and I’m excited to see what they do.
Maddie Forbes
When did you get involved in playing sports? Was there a person or persons who were instrumental in encouraging you to play?
Sports have always been a part of who I am, and I began playing sports from the day I could first walk. My parents, older sister and younger brother were always my biggest supporters. They all encouraged me to play sports. From the beginning, I played soccer, lacrosse, basketball and field hockey.
Through the years, did your teams win any championships or competed for one, and what were they, and in what league?
My high school teams have made it to the playoffs, but I’ve never made it past the first or second round in both basketball and lacrosse.
What’s your favorite sport, and specifically what do you like about basketball?
To me, it’s the game of basketball, because of the fast-paced and high-energy nature of it, where every second counts. It’s the reason why I always wanted to play it.
What were some memorable highlights for you as a high school athlete in any sport?
My favorite memory was our team trip to Florida, when I was a sophomore. It will forever be one of my top high school memories, because I was able to travel with my team and play against some of the top clubs from around the country. It was an amazing experience.
How’d you describe coach Paul Moran, and what type of coach was he in your development as an athlete?
Coach Moran was an amazing coach, who cared so much about the game and the team. He put in so much time and effort to prepare us for (the games). When I first started high school, I was more of an athlete than a basketball player, but Coach Moran made me into a basketball player. His coaching allowed me to grow as a player, person and teammate.
Who are your parents and siblings, and did they have any influence on you in your desire to play sports?
Susannah and Jeff are my parents. Molly is my older sister, and she is 21 and will graduate from the University of Alabama this spring. I also have a younger brother, Tyler, who is 16 and a sophomore at the high school. My family has always been my biggest supporters and is the reason why I began playing sports in the first place.
Have you chosen a college yet, and will sports be a part of it? Do you have a major and career choice in mind?
I plan to attend Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York. I will be playing lacrosse there, and major in political science. Although I will be playing lacrosse, I still want to keep on playing basketball (in some capacity).
What are your lasting impressions of the MHS girls basketball program, and what advice would you give to your successors?
My lasting impressions of the MHS girls basketball program can be summed up in one word: family. For the past four years, I got the opportunity to compete with some of the best girls I have ever known, who have since become my best friends and sisters.
Our coaching staff — Paul Moran, Joe Fields and Marissa Fields — have all been instrumental role models throughout my high school career. I’ve learned the power of teamwork and working together to achieve something we all want.
I hope (our successors) will take away from us the importance of standing up for what you believe in, while supporting one another through both hard and good times. As an upperclassman, you’re more than just a teammate. You are a role model who’s responsible for the younger girls. I know that the team will continue to grow under the leadership of Greta Sachs, Samara Dosch and Tessa Andriano, who will be next year’s seniors.
