Hopkinton High School girls basketball coach Mike Greco was not exactly sure what to expect with a number of younger players on his team this season. But the veteran coach has been pleasantly surprised with the way the team has been able to jell despite having several players who are new to the varsity level.

“We have made the jump a little bit faster than I would have expected,” Greco said. “These are kids who are excited to be in the gym. We are still learning and trying to get the game to slow down for these kids making the jump from eighth grade or JV to varsity basketball, but they are learning and picking things up quickly.”

Added the coach: “It’s been a fun group to work with.”

Senior co-captain Holly Paharik, who was expected to miss most of January after breaking her wrist in late December, is the team’s “most important player,” Greco said, largely for the intangible impact she has on the team.

“She isn’t going to stand out in any particular area, but she brings tremendous leadership and is probably our best defensive player,” he said. “She has been great.”

Meghan Grady is another strong leader and a returning senior captain. Hopkinton also is led this winter by junior captain Teagan Resteghini, who shifted over to point guard.

“That is not her natural position, but she has done a great job leading us and taking care of the ball,” Greco said.

The skilled veterans have mixed with some talented newcomers, including freshman forward Abbie Rabinovich.

“She has really come on lately,” her coach said. “She can play inside or outside, the sky’s the limit for her in terms of the player she can develop into. She is going to be a very, very good player.”

Sophomore Julia Chatten has established herself as a leader in the transition game. The Hillers also have received a boost from junior Sofiah Wightman Kraus, who Greco said came back this year looking like a different player.

“She is more confident, more fluid and stronger,” he said.

Heading into the bulk of Tri-Valley League play, Greco and the Hillers are adopting a day-by-day approach as opposed to focusing on overarching goals. But Hopkinton wants to earn a spot in the state tournament at the end of the season and also compete with the top teams in the TVL, including Norwood and Westwood.

“I think we will be in the mix for the league,” Greco said. “I think we will be able to compete with anybody.”