New Hartford Girls Basketball Ends 15-Year Drought, Earns March Postseason Berth

New Hartford, N.Y. — For the first time in 15 years, the New Hartford girls basketball program will play a postseason game in March, a milestone that head coach Derek Richards delivered to his squad on Wednesday.

Addressing the team, Richards shared the long-awaited news that has re-energized players, families and the entire school community. The Spartans’ return to March competition marks the program’s first state-qualifying appearance since 2009 and ends a decade-and-a-half absence from the playoff stage.

While details of the upcoming matchup remain to be finalized, the announcement alone signals a dramatic shift for a team that has spent years rebuilding. Players greeted the news with an outpouring of emotion, celebrating a breakthrough that many of them have chased since elementary school.

The achievement underscores a season of steady progress and growing confidence within the roster. With the postseason berth now secured, New Hartford turns its attention to preparation, knowing that the chance to compete in March offers both a reward for past efforts and a springboard for future aspirations.