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02/01/2017 11:00 PMAdara Bochanis says she loves basketball because it’s a fast-paced sport were you have to be mentally all in from buzzer to buzzer. Adara is definitely practicing what she’s been preaching this winter as the senior captain is fully focused and putting up solid stats for the Westbrook girls’ basketball squad.
Adara, a forward who’s in her second year as one of the Knights’ captains, has been playing basketball since the 3rd grade and also spent time playing AAU hoops as a freshman and sophomore. This season, Adara is averaging 7.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game for Westbrook, which recently earned a playoff spot with its 8-6 record.
“I love the mental aspect of basketball, plus it really helps you release energy after a long day of school. It’s also all you have to think about when you play—to do well,” says Adara. “I’m never thinking about doing one thing I want to do. I’m thinking about what the team needs to do. My sophomore year, our point guard tore her ACL, so I played point guard even though I’m a post player. I also try to listen to coach’s feedback to me.”
Adara, who also averages 2.6 blocks a night, feels that defense is more about intangibles than Xs and Os. On the offensive end, she’s been cultivating a secret weapon that surprises most opponents.
“We’ve made hustling a key point for our defense this year. Defense is about more heart than skill. A great defensive player has a drive and wants to defend. It’s also all about timing with the blocks,” says Adara. “I’ve also worked on a baseline shot I like to take. It’s a very low percentage shot, so many teams won’t defend it. In AAU, I also worked on post moves. I also have worked on my foul shots because they can make or break the outcome of a game.”
One of the biggest highlights of Adara’s current campaign came during a 58-51 overtime win versus Coginchaug on Jan. 3. Adara turned in an excellent performance that night by netting 17 points and pulling down 15 rebounds.
“We all went into that game wanting to win. I had never beaten Coginchaug and this was my last chance,” says Adara. “I was just really in the zone. Our passes were working and the shots were falling. We were tired afterwards, but it was a good team effort.”
Westbrook Head Coach Kelly Landino says that a different aspect of Adara’s game shines through every night. She adds that Adara displays great passion for basketball and is a true student of the game.
“Adara is our most unpredictable player. She is impossible to scout and plan for because we never know what Adara will excel in from game to game. She figures out what the team needs and then unselfishly does it. Whether it’s rebounding, blocking shots, or scoring, Adara seems to rise to the occasion when she’s needed,” says Landino. “Adara and I have found a middle ground in our relationship and communication over the years. I have been the hardest on her for sure out of all my players and my expectations of Adara are very high. I know she has great things inside of her and I try every day to bring that best out in her. Adara is positive and works hard at the things we ask her to do. I am sure I yell her name at least 100 times a game and she handles it extremely well.”
“I am proud of Adara, the basketball player she has become, and the great young lady that has shown through,” Landino continues. “I will keep tabs on her forever because she is so unique and I am so curious what she will do in life. I think she’s a very cool kid. Adara is interested and invested in our team and season. She scouts the box scores, [high school sports website maxpreps.com], the game scores, our league, and the players. I usually wake up with texts from Adara keeping me up on anything that might affect our team. I love that. You can’t teach that or ask a kid to do that. It is just in her nature and she genuinely cares.”
Adara knows that scouting opposing players can help dictate the pace of a contest. She views her research as an enjoyable experience rather than additional work.
“Basketball is a big stats game. If you can learn about one player, then that’s 20 percent of the team, and it can change the outcome of the team,” she says. “If you know a team is big on defense, then you just have to be ready for their tempo. Looking at the stats is also fun, too.”
As they dive into the home stretch of the season, the Knights are still setting defense as their top priority. Adara and her teammates are also focused on further developing their friendships because they know that will spark their chemistry on the court.
“We are trying to get our defense to be even better because the shots will fall, but it comes down to stopping the other team from scoring. We’ve played man-to-man defense in the past, but it’s working really well this year because of our hustle. It helps to keep the game moving faster,” says Adara, who thanks her family, teammates, Coach Landino, Westbrook’s fans and parents, plus Athletic Director Teg Cosgriff. “As a team, we are working really well together. The closer we are as a team, the better we will play.”