The Prospect Hill Academy Lady Wizards are currently enjoying an 8-0 record going into the second half of the season. ~ Photos by Correen Demers

By Ashley Richardson

The Lady Wizards of Prospect Hill Academy enter the second halfway of the 2016-2017 basketball season in Division I of the Massachusetts Charter School Athletic Organization (MCSAO) with no setbacks and in first place with a record of 8-0.  Not a bad way to start after completing last year’s campaign as undefeated league champions at 19-0.

To date, the closest challenge was a 36-26 victory over perennial nemesis, KIPP Academy of Lynn. PHA was up by only 2 points with six minutes to play; but went on a 12-2 run to close the game.  Overall during the 8-game stretch, the Lady Wizards have averaged 53 points and held opponents to 21 points per game. However, this Friday at 7:30 p.m. on February 3, something has got to give when PHA squares off against MCSOA Division II power, Community Charter School of Cambridge at MIT’s Zesiger Sports Center in Cambridge. Currently, the CCSC Cougars lead Division II with a record of 16-0—scoring 51 points and holding their competition to 20 points per game.

Prospect Hill Academy relies on leadership on and off the court from their Senior playing trio of combo guard Agar Felix, power forward Tracy Beauvois and small forward/guard Marley Durham and Senior managers Ashley Richardson and Claire Joseph. All players on the team understand that “on court playing time” is a result of committing to “Defense First”. However, offensively, the current scoring leaders are returning league all-stars—Felix (10.8 points per game), Sophomore guard Ashley Cadet (10.5 ppg) and Sophomore power forward and center Kaleesha Joseph (12.6 ppg).

In addition to those named above, the Lady Wizard roster is filled out with Juniors Sarah Merina, Fabiana Paul, Semhar Habtom, Fatima Benmimoun, Imani Dottin, Thais Velasquez, Carla Minoche and Katelynne Quinones and Sophomores Samaya Belizaire and Ashley Fortune. The Prospect Hill Academy Lady Wizards varsity coaching staff continues to be headed by Brian Harris with strong support from John Collins and Correen Demers, all from Somerville.