Charlie Breitrose
Watertown junior Shannon Murphy and the Raiders have been highly ranked in the early season polls.
The Watertown High School girls basketball team lost only once last year, and the Raiders may have even more expectations according to the polls.
The Boston Herald ranked Watertown third in Eastern Massachusetts Pre-Season Poll, ESPN Boston ranks the Raiders third in their MIAA Girls Basketball Poll and the Boston Globe has Watertown fifth in its Top 20.
Among MIAA Div. 2 North squads, the Raiders are at the top, according to the Herald. Other squads in the North to contend with are Arlington Catholic and Belmont, the team the Raiders beat in the Section Semifinal last year, according to the Heralds’ Girls Div. 2 Super Six story.
Much of the Watertown team that made it to the TD Garden for the State Semifinal returns, including junior center Shannon Murphy, who has already committed to Holy Cross. The Herald also highlights returning seniors guard Michaela Antonellis and forward Katelyn Rourke.
Monday’s Results
The Raiders boys hockey team collected its first win Monday with a convincing 7-2 win over Marlborough at Watertown’s John A. Ryan Arena. Watertown is now 1-2, and next hosts Reading at 6 p.m. The defending state champions still get love from the pollsters, who ranked Watertown 14th in the Boston Globe Top 20.
The girls basketball team improved to 3-0 with a 44-25 win over Reading at the WHS Gym. The Raiders host Burlington on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
The boys basketball team is still searching for its first win, but came very close Monday night, falling to Reading 47-45. Watertown is 0-3 and hosts Burlington Wednesday at 5 p.m.