One year after capturing a state tournament berth for the first time in 11 seasons, Winchester is on a path to do one better.

With leadership from captains Claire English, Ceci Kelcourse, and Emily Collins, the Sachems are 11-2 and poised to land one of the top seeds in Div. 1.

Winchester owns wins over Malden Catholic and league foe Wakefield. The team’s only defeats so far this season are by single digits to Woburn and Lexington.

“We had high expectations coming into the season,” Winchester coach Sam Mosley said. “Last year we made the tournament for the first time in 11 seasons, which was certainly exciting. This year though our goal is to compete for a top 16 seed and get a home game.”

Collins has been dominant inside at both ends of the floor. The junior forward is averaging 19 points and 14 rebounds a night and is on the verge of becoming the all-time leading scorer in Winchester school history. Collins is also in pursuit of 1,000 career points. While Collins has been primarily in the post she has also proved invaluable in a point-forward role, occasionally handling the ball and starting the offense.

“We have a small team, we’re only carrying 10 girls so we’ve needed everyone to step up,” Mosley said. “The captains have really led that charge on and off the court.”

Alongside Collins is English who provides a strong complementary post presence. The senior is also posting a double-double on a nightly basis with 10 points and 10 rebounds a contest. Kelcourse has emerged as the team’s point guard and main facilitator. Sophomore Maeve Collins is the team’s primary defensive stopper.

In 2022, Winchester went 14-6 before falling to Lincoln-Sudbury on the road in the first round. Now, Mosley is hoping a strong close to the final month of the season will put Winchester in position to hold home court come March.

“Our girls have been looking forward to this stretch of the season where every game you play is going to be extremely competitive,” Mosley said. “We’ve been keeping our heads focused on what is in front of us.”

Thursday night was one to remember for St. Sebastian’s Trevor Mullin as the senior guard became the school’s all-time leading scorer. Mullin is set to continue his playing career at Yale in the fall. Speaking of milestones, Braintree boys coach Bob Crook secured one of his own on Monday night as the 32-year Wamps head coach secured his 400th career win with a 58-48 win over Durfee.

One of the most highly anticipated girls basketball games of the season is set to take place on Wednesday when Bridgewater-Raynham hosts Dracut. The game has been postponed on a pair of occasions due to weather.