Meagan Donovan, a senior captain at Archbishop Williams High School, remembers the 2015 girl’s state basketball tournament like it was yesterday.
She recalls stepping onto the TD Garden court and looking around to see family and friends in the stands. And she can never forget lifting the championship trophy high above her head, feeling both happiness and relief.
The team had reached its goal.
Before every season, Archbishop Williams head coach Matt Mahoney writes down the team’s expectation and goal. Each year, they’re the same: to win a state championship.
“The players look at this spot on varsity as a full-time job, and work hard every day to earn this spot throughout the entire season,’’ Mahoney said as the team readies for tournament play. “I’m so proud of the accomplishments they’ve made this season, and I’m looking forward to the next couple of weeks with sectionals and state tournaments.’’
The Bishops, currently ranked eighth in the state, finished 11-1 in the conference and 16-4 overall. The team was led by junior Asiah Dingle and senior captains Mollie Manning and Donovan. Chosen by Mahoney, the captains have led all season both on and off the court.
On the court, Manning averaged 5 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game, Donovan 8 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Off the court, the two excel in the classroom, Mahoney said, and are well-rounded students.
After graduation, both will go to college on athletic scholarships. Donovan will play basketball for Worcester Polytechnic Institute or the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, and Manning lacrosse for Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire.
“I hope we left an impact that will help the younger players become future captains and better leaders on the team,’’ said Manning. “This team is a second family, and I’m fortunate to be with this team for the past few years.’’
Dingle is having a season that might earn her a captain’s spot next season. Mahoney describes Dingle as “one of the most exciting players in the state.’’
She’s only 5-foot-5, but she averaged 18 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals per game. The most surprising part is that most of her points come from inside the paint and the foul line. Neither her coach nor her teammates can explain how she’s so dominant up close, but they hope it continues.
“I like to be aggressive during the game, so I’m not afraid to drive to the basket,’’ said Dingle. “I’m just fortunate that the baskets get into the hoop or I get fouled, but you just have to have the attitude to drive.’’
Archbishop Williams captured its third straight Catholic Central League Championship this season, and is looking to win a fifth straight Division 3 South Sectional title. As for the team’s overall goal as laid out by their coach, the Bishops won the Division 3 sin 2013 and 2015.
“We’ve won the past two odd years, so maybe this year is our year to win again,’’ said Donovan. “We know the competition will be tough, but we’re prepared to fight hard to continue this program’s success.’’
In addition to Archbishop Williams, several other high school programs south of Boston could make a run at the state championships:
■ Braintree: Ranked third in the state at 16-3, the team must be counted as one of the favorites to win the Division 1 South Sectionals. Braintree lost to Bishop Feehan in the sectional finals last season, but won the Division 1 state title in 2015.
■ Mansfield: The Hornets are ranked 10th in the state and have a 17-3 record this regular season. The past two seasons, the team lost to Bishop Feehan in the semifinals of the Division 1 South Sectionals.
■ Hanover: Ranked just below Mansfield at 11th statewide with an 18-2 overall record, the team was led by Meaghan Raab with 236 total points over 16 games. Hanover is looking to reach the Division 3 South Sectional finals after losing to Coyle & Cassidy in the semifinals last season.
■ Foxborough: The 17th-ranked Warriors are led by Ashley Sampson, who has scored 261 points over 15 games, averaging 17.4 points per game. The team was close to reaching the Division 2 State Tournament in 2015, but lost to Duxbury in the sectional finals.
■ Abington: After a 17-2 record, the Green Waves are looking to claim a spot in the Division 3 South Sectionals as the 18th-ranked team in the state. Abington was in the sectional finals in 2015, but lost to Archbishop Williams in one of its state title years.
Two other teams from south of Boston not now in the top 20 could surprise:
■ Marshfield: The team is relying on Tina Sargent, averaging 13.8 points per game, and Cassie Caldwell, averaging 13.1, to carry it in the Division 1 South Sectionals. Last season, it lost to Newton North in the first round of the sectionals.
■ West Bridgewater: At 15-3, the team has its sights set on the Division 4 South Sectionals after losing to Cathedral in the semifinals last year.
Brian Mozey can be reached at brian.mozey@globe.com. His Twitter handle is @BrianMozey.
