By Geena Monahan—For the North Star Reporter
The North Attleborough High School girls varsity basketball team is off to an undefeated start this season with three straight wins, and leading the way is interim head coach Julia Feid, who stepped into the role while head coach Ashley Kepaa is on maternity leave.
Feid, 24, credits the early success to steady leadership and consistent effort from a roster that blends experience with rising young players.
“The girls show up every day giving 100% effort in practice, which carries over into games,” said Feid. “We create competitions in practice – shooting contests, team face-offs – so that intensity becomes second nature on game day.”
The season opened with a narrow 45-43 win over Milford, followed by a 48-34 victory over Taunton and a 58-25 rout of Stoughton.
Junior captain Ava Pratt, whom Feid has known since her days as a camp counselor through the town’s Parks and Recreation Department, has been a standout this season and a key factor in the win over Taunton.
“She trusts me and I trust her – when the ball is in her hands I’m never surprised with what she comes up with,” said Feid. “In the game against Taunton when she scored 23 points, I pulled her aside and said ‘No one on this court can stop you, so I need you to take over this game.’ She’s a leader in every way.”
Sophomores Jordan Egan and Bella Houghton, both standing just under six feet tall, are also emerging as leaders. Feid said they are finding their voices on and off the court, and noted that “every time they get the ball they do something special.”
Another sophomore, Riley Rea, also earned praise for the composure and leadership she has shown coming off the bench as a point guard.
While the team’s strong start is clear, Feid said the focus now is on refining execution and maintaining consistency.
“We’ve seen flashes of great zone offense, man offense and defense,” said Feid. “Now our goal is to put everything together and stick to the game plan throughout the entire game, not just in spurts.”
Feid’s connection to North Attleborough basketball runs deep. A four-year varsity player and senior captain under former head coach Derek Herber, she went on to compete in track at the University of Maine, specializing in the javelin.
“I always knew I wanted to stay involved in basketball,” said Feid. “After graduating, I was lucky to step into coaching at North. Being back feels like home.”
For the past two years, Feid has coached at the junior varsity level and served as a varsity assistant, a role she took on when Kepaa became head coach in 2023. The two go back even further, to when Kepaa coached Feid in AAU basketball. When Feid was asked to be interim head coach this season, she felt both excited and nervous stepping into the position at such a young age.
“She’s [Kepaa] guided me through every step – from planning the season to all of the little things that keep everything running smoothly,” said Feid. “The biggest lesson I’ve learned from her is the importance of building relationships with players. When they trust you, they’ll give you everything on the court.”
She and Kepaa still talk or text daily as Feid navigates the early season.
Some of the team’s biggest challenges still lie ahead with matchups against Mansfield, Oliver Ames and King Phillip – all among the top-ranked teams in Massachusetts.
“Being in the Hockomock League is a challenge in itself – it’s one of the best leagues in the state,” said Feid. “Those are going to be tough games, but we truly believe that any team in the state we play, we can play the game the way we want. Whether we win or lose – although we’d like to win them all – we can still learn the things that we need to improve on.”
Goal-setting remains a major focus, both individually and as a team. Feid said they are aiming to exceed last season’s seven wins, make a deeper playoff run, and continue building on the strides already made.
The team’s next matchup is against Canton at NAHS on Jan. 2.
“Our girls are funny, competitive and their effort is unmatched,” said Feid. “They share the same mindset – and drive – to accomplish what the team wants.”