The third time isn’t likely to be the charm, but for Corey Boilard, that’s not cause for alarm. Boilard, entering his third season as head coach of the Bow girls basketball team, isn’t expecting a Class I title in 2009. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t hope to compete for one.

The Lady Falcons are, indeed, young – 20 of 25 players in the program are underclassmen. But they’re talented, and on Friday, Dec. 5, they proved they’re resilient, too.

After suffering an embarrassing 48-12 setback to defending champ Hanover in the season opener on Dec. 2, Bow traveled to face another up-and-coming squad, Pembroke Academy, and knocked off the hosts in a highly competitive 47-44 contest.

“We’re going to be referencing that Hanover game a lot, and we’re already showing we learned from it. Even though they’re using that experience to improve themselves, they’re always looking forward,” said Boilard. “I think we certainly have a lot of potential, especially with all the hard work I’m seeing and the way we’ve been supporting each other. You know, we have a lot of positive energy in the gym every day, which is great."

The Lady Falcons lost some key contributors from a 2007- 08 unit that finished 11-7 and reached the postseason, but those returning hope to improve on last year’s first-round Class I playoff exit.

Senior guard Meghan Faretra, junior center Kelly Chergey and sophomore guard Maggie Crisman lead the team, but Alison Meagher, Caitlin Heindl, Katie Barry, Leanna Shea, Lexie Welch, Sarah Moore, Brianna Bean and Divya Vig are all expected to play significant roles.

Sophomore Kendra Toellner, who missed last season after knee surgery, and freshman Jillian Chergey are new to the 13-player varsity roster. “We have a lot of versatility, a lot of names I can throw out there, which is good,” said Boilard.

“Each player has weaknesses, but they all have great strengths, too, and when we put them together, we make a pretty good team. I think by season’s end we’ll be much better than we are now.”