Girls Varsity Basketball ended a 33-year championship drought in dramatic fashion on March 7, defeating Lawrence Academy 61–57 in overtime to capture the 2026 NEPSAC Class B (Large) title.

The seventh-seeded Bears trailed for almost the entire game against fourth-seeded Lawrence, battling to stay in contention as the clock ticked down. With just 45 seconds left in regulation, freshman Sammie King ’29 stepped up and drained a corner three-pointer to tie the game at 48, sending it into overtime. 

“Taking the shot felt like a reflex,” King said. “This team trains so hard, and you always hope it works out in the moment. I was proud my teammates trusted me, and I’m glad I was able to deliver.”

From there, Berkshire held steady and sealed the program’s first championship since 1993.

Alivia Mauer ’26 led the Bears’ charge in overtime, earning Class B Tournament MVP honors with 13 points in the decisive game. The victory was the culmination of a season defined by grit and perseverance, as Berkshire finished 21–6, including three separate six-game winning streaks.

Head Coach Junior De La Hoz, who was named the New England Preparatory School Girls Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year by conference coaches, praised his team for its resilience.

“These young ladies are special—I haven’t had a group like this in nine years of coaching,” De La Hoz said. “What they went through this year wasn’t easy, but every day we told them to 'keep working.' To see them pull through in that environment and in that game meant everything.” He continued, "I have so much respect for them. This is a memory no one can take away—they trusted the process from day one. Special thanks to Coach Splawn and Coach Rathbun; this wouldn’t have been possible without them.”