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03/26/2024 11:11 AMGood leaders in athletics can shine through in many different ways. They can have strong skills in competition and serve as role models for their teammates, or they can have the personality outside the competitive realm to help lead their team to prominence. Victoria O’Neill has displayed a mix of both during her time with the Morgan girls’ basketball team.
The senior was one of four captains for the Huskies this past winter that helped lead the team to the Class M State Tournament, the Shoreline Conference Championship, and a 14-5 regular season record. Morgan Head Coach Caitlin Woods recognized Victoria’s ability to continue to improve her game all season long, and she served as a crucial asset to a team hungry for postseason hardware.
“Victoria had a tremendous season, but she really came on strong in the second half,” says Woods. “Not only has she been a critical component of our team but was such an outstanding captain, and I really wanted for that to be spotlighted.”
Victoria takes pride in the way she dedicated herself to basketball throughout her high school tenure, and to see it pay off and be recognized in a deep postseason run is something she’ll never forget.
“I felt proud being recognized for the hard work I put in, not only for the season, but my whole high career as a whole,” Victoria says.
On the court, Victoria averaged six points, five rebounds, one assist, three blocks, and one steal per game for the Huskies this season. She had notable performances in two particular contests, carrying her team to victory through her consistent toughness and ability to create the spark that was needed to secure the win.
“Victoria was outstanding in our second regular season game against HK,” Woods says. “We went into that game knowing it could be a turning point in our season, and Victoria led us off eight points right away in the first quarter (finishing the game with 12 points). She ignited the fire that night. I also thought Victoria was especially tough against Avon. We had to battle them until the end to get the win, and Victoria came up with some big plays leading us to clinch the win.”
Though she doesn’t have the most eye-popping stats, Victoria’s impact was bigger on the defensive side of the ball. She prioritizes that aspect of her game, and she is always looking to create pressure for opposing offenses.
“My style of play is focused more on defense, with offense as my second priority,” says Victoria. “I try to focus on playing tough defense through blocking shots and getting strong rebounds. On offense, I try my best to help my teammates get open and give them good looks while also trying to get good looks myself.”
On top of being the defensive anchor for her squad, Victoria’s strong leadership as a captain extended beyond the court. She was the glue the squad needed to create a family-like chemistry and bond, and she facilitated nearly all interactions her teammates had on the court to create more cohesiveness.
As she helped lead her team to a 14-5 regular season record, which gave them a first-round bye in the state tournament, the Huskies earned the No. 2 seed in the Shoreline Conference Tournament. They earned wins against Hale-Ray and Haddam-Killingworth before falling to the East Hampton Bellringers in the championship.
Though her team fell short of winning a Shoreline Conference title, Victoria enjoyed the success her team did find during the run, and the build-up to the championship game gave her a feeling of excitement that was unlike anything else.
“My best memory being a part of the Morgan basketball team was probably this season,” says Victoria. “We had such good chemistry, and we all wanted to win. One part specifically that contributes to this season being the best memory was leading up to the Shoreline Championship. Unfortunately, we were not as successful as we hoped, but prior, we were so excited to have made it that far.”
Sports can create lifelong friendships, and Victoria found that in her co-captains this season in Anastasia Luke, Maeve Madura, and Ava Johnson. All four girls have been playing basketball together for a long time, so she felt honored to share her final foray in a Huskies uniform with each of them.
“This season stands out much more, because I was able to be successful with the three other captains who I have been playing basketball with my whole life,” Victoria says. “It made it extra special that we were able to end our high school basketball careers together.”
Victoria was a four-year member of the Morgan girls’ basketball team, and she became a full-time varsity player and starter during her sophomore year. The confidence she has shown as she spent more time on the floor, combined with her constant growth as a player, will leave Woods and the Morgan squad with a hole that will be tough to replace.
“Words cannot express how much Victoria will be missed by her teammates and coaches,” says Woods. “That goes for all the seniors graduating this season. On and off the court, Victoria is a terrific student-athlete to work with, and I think she and her classmates have set a precedent for the returning players, which is so great for the future success of our program.”
Upon graduating from Morgan, Victoria will attend Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston to study either architecture or civil engineering.