Despite a hard-fought battle, the No. 12 Randolph Girls Basketball team closed out its season with a loss to No. 5 Chatham in the first round of the state tournament on Feb. 27, 2026. The Rams finished the season with a 9-16 record.

From the opening tip-off, Randolph showed determination and grit. The team came out strong on defense, working to disrupt Chatham’s rhythm and force tough shots. Despite the Rams’ effort and energy, the Cougars managed to build momentum through consistent scoring and tight defensive pressure. 

Randolph Head Coach Mark Cacciacarne acknowledged Chatham’s three-point consistency in the first quarter but encouraged the Rams to stay the course. “Keep doing what we are doing,” Cacciacarne said. “Their percentages will play out, and their numbers will drop as they keep shooting.” 

He was right, as Randolph held Chatham to a second quarter of just one made three-pointer. 

Senior Jayla Rose and sophomore Ali Boscarino were key contributors for the Randolph offense, with Boscarino putting up a team-high eight points, while Rose herself had seven. 

Randolph continued to compete throughout all four quarters, hustling for rebounds, diving for loose balls and pushing the pace whenever opportunities opened up. While shots did not always fall in Randolph’s favor, the team’s resilience and teamwork were evident until the final buzzer. 

Although the final score did not reflect the heart the Rams brought to the court, the game marked the end of a season defined by growth, perseverance and commitment. The players represented Randolph with pride and sportsmanship all the way through. 

For seniors Reina Daniel, Maddie Gaynor, Kayla Takacs and Rose, the matchup was an emotional closing chapter in their high school basketball careers. Their leadership and dedication helped shape the program and set an example for the younger players who will carry the team forward. 

“I can’t believe it’s over,” Gaynor said. “But from when I was four years old till now, I will carry every lesson that this sport has taught me.” 

Regarding all the seniors, their leadership and dedication have helped shape the program and set an example for the younger players who will carry the team forward. 

Rose reflected on her journey in the program. “Freshman year was my first year of playing basketball and it was hard for me,” she said. “I didn’t have confidence in my game and didn’t get a lot of playing time. Now I am confident, I earned my starting position, and I pushed myself to be a better version of myself.” 

Randolph Girls Basketball leaves the court not defined by a single game, but by the hard work and spirit that brought the players to the state tournament stage. The Rams can look back on the season with pride and ahead to the future with optimism.