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04/13/2017 12:00 AMThe Old Saybrook girls’ basketball squad proved a defensive force by allowing less than 40 points a game while returning to the playoffs this winter. One of the biggest reasons behind the Rams’ defensive success was the smart, hard-nosed play of Sophie Alden.
Sophie, a junior captain forward, played basketball at the parks and rec, travel, and middle school levels before arriving at Old Saybrook High School. Sophie applied what she learned through the years by playing excellent defense for the Rams during the recent season, finishing with an average of seven rebounds, three blocks, and four assists per game. In the end, Old Saybrook qualified for both the Shoreline Conference and Class S State tournaments, winning a game in the latter bracket on its way to an overall record of 13-10.
“I love how fast-paced the game is, plus I know my teammates well. I also like how everybody’s effort really shows with minimal people on the floor,” Sophie says. “On defense, I like to read people’s eyes and figure out where they will go. I try to be quicker to the ball and make deflections in the passing lane. It’s about being one step ahead.”
Sophie feels that one needs to play a cerebral game in order to win the duel on defense. She always emphasizes mind over matter when it comes to being a magnet for the rock.
“I like watching the other team’s players and how they see the court. It’s helped me expand my vision for the court,” says Sophie. “I’ve been told that you don’t have to be the fastest player because the smartest player gets to the ball first.”
Sophie made a more conscious effort to strike in the shooting lanes this year. She knows she can throw other teams for a loop by shooting the ball if they’re anticipating her to pass off to a teammate.
“I’ve always been a little hesitant to shoot the ball. I’ve worked a lot more on shooting the ball in the past year,” says Sophie. “I want to transition to having more of an offensive presence because, if I never shoot, then it takes me out of the game on offense, and I’m no help to the team there.”
In praising her wits, heart, and persistence, Old Saybrook Head Coach Steve Woods says that he couldn’t have asked for a captain who features all the intangibles like Sophie does.
“Sophie only averaged two points a game this year, but I rarely took her off the floor due to her intelligence, passion, and poise. Sophie averaged three blocked shots per game, while always guarding much taller players, and boxed out like a demon, allowing others to rebound. Keeping her on the floor always made sense because she made good things happen and was always a source of positivity, even when we struggled,” says Woods. “Sophie is a coach’s dream as someone to rely on for whatever is needed and whose positive attitude lights up the gym every day. Sophie is an outstanding team player who excels defensively and really brings our team together. She is truly a special young lady who I feel privileged to coach and is always a pleasure with whom to work.”
“Having her coming back next season buoys not only my morale, but that of all our returning players, because of her special impact she has on this team,” Coach Woods adds. “She is remarkable defensively and very smart on the court. She is a better offensive player than she gives herself credit for and always plays with energy and passion. Her sportsmanship in light of her competitiveness is also amazing.”
Sophie’s positivity is a product of the formative stages of her basketball career, when she learned that the sport is just one part of the grander spectrum in life. It’s a sentiment that Sophie has carried over into her role as a captain for the Rams.
“Being positive goes back to my time with Connecticut River basketball in 4th grade. It was always instilled that basketball was a game and being positive was more important and really made you a winner. From there, I always wanted to be a bigger person on and off the court,” says Sophie. “I loved being a captain this year. I got to know the younger girls and had a great time being able to be the team leader.”
Sophie is proud that the Rams took a big step in the right direction by returning to postseason play this winter. She feels that one of the key reasons for Old Saybrook’s success was the fact that anyone on the squad could pick up the slack on any given night.
“This was a special team this year. The past couple of years, we were just shy of Shorelines and states. Our camaraderie was special because we had each other’s backs,” says Sophie, who thanks her parents, Laura and Drew; her brothers, Max and Griffin; plus Coach Woods. “We were able to pick people up when they had off nights and it helped drive us so deep into states. We were also close with each other by the end of the year.”