If the Pembroke girls basketball team is to succeed this year, a talented transfer may be a key component.

And that’s just fine with head coach Rose Galligan, who said new addition Alex Hall may be the best girls basketball player she’s seen take the court at PA.

“What doesn’t she do? I mean, she does it all,” said Galligan. “She plays defense. She shoots. She passes. She controls the ball. She’s just a great allaround player.”

And while the Lady Spartans are instantly better with Hall clad in green, Galligan admits that for her team to make a run in Class I, those playing alongside the junior standout will have to contribute as well.

“Last year, this team played solid defense, but struggled with ball control and shot quality.

With Alex around, I think that’s already started changing, and I’m just hoping to improve as the season goes along,” said the mentor. “I’ve already seen that improvement in the first three weeks of practice, but we’re going to need to see these other kids step up because obviously (Hall) is going to see a lot of attention.”

In fact, Galligan said her new star was double- and sometimes triple-teamed throughout Pembroke’s first contest, a 59-29 setback at Lebanon.

Those whom Hall will look to pass the ball to in tough spots include senior center Faye Lesniewski, who Galligan said posts up well and has a solid outside jump shot; senior Kaitie Scofield, who returns after two injury-plagued campaigns that kept her scrappy defense off the floor; and Samantha Boisvert, a senior sharpshooter who complements her three-point accuracy with above-average passing skills.

Senior Lisa Swanson and juniors Mollie Griggs and Charissa Elwell are each expected to see significant playing time, as will sophomore newcomers Danielle Blanchette and Sara Chevrette.

Others representing the Lady Spartans include freshmen Alesha Girard, Sarah Vien and Marissa Letendre.

“They’re all going to contribute,” said the coach. “It’s just a matter of getting the right mix together and getting them used to playing with someone this talented.”

No matter the final results, however, Galligan is hoping her team will enjoy the experience as much as she will.

“This is a good group of kids,” said Galligan. “They’re all hard workers, and they’re all fun to be around.”