LYNN — Juliana Conte, of Wakefield, lifted the Div. 3 state championship trophy with her St. Mary’s girls’ basketball teammates on March 14 at the Tsongas Center. The top-seeded Spartans beat No. 3 Norwell 46-38 in the championship.
It was the perfect way for Conte to end a stellar career at St. Mary’s. She is committed to the women’s basketball team at Eastern Connecticut State University where she will be attending in the fall.
Conte concluded her senior season as a Catholic Central League All-Star. She led the Spartans with 54 3-pointers, averaged 7.8 points per game and became one of the top defenders on the team. Conte finished with 377 career points and 102 career 3’s.
“Juliana has been an absolute pleasure to have in our program over the past four years,” said St. Mary’s head coach Jeff Newhall. “She has continuously worked at improving her game and played her way into a starting role on this year’s championship team, hitting some critical shots in the regular season and throughout the postseason. She will be sorely missed but we know she is ready to thrive academically and athletically at Eastern Connecticut.”
Conte’s decision to attend St. Mary’s revolved around many factors, including the close-knit community of the school and a familiarity with the teaching staff which was critical during the pandemic, but basketball was always at the forefront.
“I wanted to challenge myself and play at the highest level I could,” recalled Conte. “Basketball started for me in Wakefield and I had a great experience in town and in AAU. I knew that I wanted to play in high school and college. I watched one of St. Mary’s’ games and I saw the skill level of the team and their opponent and I wanted to push myself to play in a program that was going to be competitive. Even if it meant that I wouldn’t play as much as I was used to.”
In addition to her play on the court, Conte has thrived as a student at St. Mary’s. A National Honor Society member, Conte has spent two years in the exploring early childhood elective in which students explore careers in the field of education and work as teacher assistants with a mentor teacher in the elementary school at St. Mary’s.
“The two years I’ve spent in this program made me realize how much I enjoy working with children,” said Conte. “Last year, I was helping in a Kindergarten class. This year, I am helping in a 1st grade class. The elementary school teachers are all very helpful and encouraging.
“Because of my experience in this program, I’ve decided to major in Physical Education next year, so that I can work with children and teach them how to exercise and be active and healthy.”
On the court, Conte has played a key role in helping the Spartans win the D3 state championship in three of her four years. In addition to this season, St. Mary’s won the title in 2022 and 2023.
On March 14 at the Tsongas Center, it all came full circle for Conte as she helped her team win on the biggest stage once again.
“It was a great accomplishment for all of us, our team and coaches,” said Conte. “Our coaches believe in us and they do a lot of work to prepare us to be the best we can be. We worked very hard all season and also in the fall and summer.
“My coaches and teammates at St. Mary’s have prepared me for college basketball and I will always be thankful for everything they have taught me. I am excited for the next chapter and I’m looking forward to the future at Eastern, in the classroom and on the basketball court.”