By Caleb Knudsen
The Healdsburg’s girls basketball team has been a force to be reckoned with in recent years, and high expectations are inevitable for them this year. After all, between last year’s roster and this they’ve only lost one starter—but that was Hailey Webb, the league MVP and Healdsburg’s all-time scoring champion.
But check off the returning players: Allie Espinoza, Ashley Behrens, Ruby Leffew, Hannah Sellards and Claire Berry.
“That’s five players named either to First Team, Second Team or honorable mention. Who wouldn’t want that?” asked Coach Greg Marguglio rhetorically.
Still, last year was something special—the Greyhounds raced through Redwood League play undefeated with a 12-0 record, ending the season 27-3. Their streak continued into the semifinals of the North Bay playoffs, when they lost to eventual champion Justin-Siena.
This year’s team is currently 9-4, with the full Redwood season ahead of them. Their last few games in tournament play at the end of the year gave them a chance to “try some different things we’re looking to improve upon,” said Marguglio, “and give some of the newer players more experience.”
They broke a three-game losing streak by beating Analy 35-24 on Jan. 4. “Analy never let up, and kept us out of rhythm,” Marguglio said. “It was a good challenge as we start league play this week.”
Ruby Leffew scored the most points for the Greyhounds with 11, and Claire Berry backed her up with 8. Although Allie Espinoza is the team’s top scorer so far this year, Marguglio said not to count out Leffew. “You know, Allie probably has the potential to put up the most points in a game, but Ruby Leffew gets hot,” he said. “They could be trading high scores the whole season.”
The 2025 Greyhounds are not overshadowed by the talent that was Hailey Webb—they are all players in the best sense of the word. “I still think the best game I’ve seen this entire year was Ashley Behrens against Justin Sienna,” on Dec. 14, Marguglio added. “She matched her opponent’s number or actually beat her by one and scored 17. And she’s absolutely awesome on defense.” That game saw the Braves defeat the Greyhounds, 52-38.
“Between those three, actually those four, or all five of our seniors, anybody could show up any day. They all have the potential to really be great,” the coach said.
The recent win over Analy came in Sebastopol, and Marguglio said he’s looking forward to the league season because half the games will be home games, where the team can perform better. “Just the familiarity with the rims and the lighting, being at home is always better,” he said. “I think that goes for all sports.”
He pointed out that as well as the home games, the team practices in the home gym all the time, and the players become familiar with the space of the room and the background behind each basket. “You know where you are on the court, and when you turn you don’t have to look for the rim—you just kind of know where it is,” he said.
League play kicked off this week with a Tuesday game at home against Elsie Allen (currently 5-5). Although complete stats are not available, the Greyhounds easily bested the Lobos, 62-9, scoring almost at will and shutting down the visiting team’s offense.
“Our biggest challenge is, first of all, never take anybody lightly,” Marguglio said. “That’s a recipe for disaster.”
A second game against Else Allen will be played in Santa Rosa at their gym in two weeks, on Jan. 23, to start the second series of games between teams in the Redwood conference. By then, Healdsburg’s chances for a repeat title will be more clear.
Healdsburg High home girls basketball games are usually on Tuesdays, at 7:30pm in Smith Robinson Gym.
