Athlete Of The Week: Gaby Bassett

ORLEANS – With the Nauset-Monomoy girls hockey team trailing 2-1 after the first period against Pope Francis in their season opener Saturday, head coach Zach Wells knew it was time for the team’s big guns — like seniors Gaby Bassett and Julia Kipperman — to show up. 

He told them as much during intermission. And with how the two proceeded to play in the second period, consider the message received. 

Kipperman had scored late in the first period (assisted by Bassett and senior Emily Decker) to bridge the deficit. Midway through the following frame, Kipperman skated behind Pope Francis’ net and dished the puck to Bassett in the slot. Bassett, the team captain, finished the play with a game-tying goal.

“She answered right away in the second period, and she scored that goal to tie the game, so she does respond, and she is a leader in the locker room, on the ice,” Wells said.

The score brought Bassett, a five-year varsity player, one goal short of 100 for her career. With Nauset-Monomoy playing Wednesday (after The Chronicle’s deadline) and Saturday, that’s a milestone mark she’s certain to clear imminently.

With her scoring ability, two to three goals a game is within reason for Bassett, according to Wells. She’s committed to play hockey at Nichols College.

“If we can get her going, the team will have a ton of success, because there's a huge supporting cast,” he said.