By KEN HAMWEY

Staff Sports Writer

One of Maggie Lagan’s goals for Natick High’s girls basketball team this season is to maintain good health — for her and her teammates. 

 Maggie Lagan’s team-first approach, her high basketball IQ and her impact at point guard make her a key part of Natick High’s nucleus. Maggie Lagan is vice president of the National Honor Society and has a 4.5 GPA.

The senior point guard obviously wants the Redhawks to qualify for the tournament  and experience a deep playoff run, but making health a priority is understandable. Especially when she talks about a plethora of ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) surgeries that she and family members have had to endure.

Lagan suffered a torn ACL in her left knee in a game against Newton North halfway through her sophomore season. Her sister Emma, who also was a Natick point guard, was sidelined during her career when she tore her ACL twice. Lagan’s brother (Robert) also suffered an ACL tear when he played on the Redhawks’ varsity, forcing him to miss most of his senior season.

The family’s ACL history doesn’t end with Lagan and her siblings. Her father (Daniel) tore an ACL and a meniscus ligament a few years after his college days at St. Michael’s in Vermont.

“It must be in the genes,’’ Lagan said. “It’s quite a coincidence. My rehab was 9-10 months of physical therapy, strength and conditioning drills and working out on my own. My parents emphasized caution. They experienced three ACL rehabs with my sister and brother and they wanted me to be totally healthy for my junior season of basketball.’’

A starter as a sophomore before being sidelined, the 5-foot-6 Lagan returned for her junior year and played a key role in guiding the Redhawks to a 14-6 record and a playoff berth.

“With seven senior returning, my team goals are not only to qualify for the playoffs, but also to go further in the tourney,’’ she emphasized. “Losing to Framingham last season in the second round was disappointing because we all worked hard and we knew we had potential. This year we’re got talent and experience and it’s time to live up to our potential.’’

The Redhawks will be at Framingham for their opener on Dec. 13.

A native of Natick, Lagan’s personal objectives, besides good health for her and her teammates, are “to improve daily, be more of an offensive threat and to be the best captain I can be.’’ 

Lagan’s statistics last year won’t knock anyone’s socks off, primarily because she’s a pass-first point guard. She averaged 3.5 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Her coach, Dan Hinnenkamp, doesn’t worry about her numbers, instead raving about her strengths and her team-first approach.

“Maggie plays because of her high basketball IQ and her impact,’’ he said. “She’s got great court vision, is very coachable, she’s instinctive and is quick and fast. She’s capable leading our fast break and her defensive instincts are through the roof. I’m comfortable when the ball’s in her hands.’’

The 18-year-old Lagan, who started playing basketball as a seven-year-old, enjoys the responsibility at point guard. “There’s lots of options,’’ she said. “I can pass, shoot or drive. You’re never locked into one role. I like being in control of where the ball is going and I rely on court vision to make a key pass.’’

Honored to be a captain, Lagan will approach that role by being supportive and leading by example. “I want to connect with my teammates on and off the court,’’ she said. “I’ll help anyone and I’ll stive to make our team chemistry great.’’

Lagan says her best game so far came against Needham in a three-point loss last year. “It was a back-and-forth game,’’ she said. “I had seven points, four steals and played a good defensive game. It hurt to lose but that game gave us motivation to finish at 14-6.’’

Rating her selection as a captain a thrill, Lagan also points to Natick’s victory over Wachusett in the tourney when she was a freshman. “I didn’t play much that year but I did get to play two minutes in the tourney,’’ she recalled. “We won by 10 but to play in such an exciting atmosphere was very memorable.’’

Lagan has a high regard for Natick’s other two senior captains.

“Madi Forman is our center and Ally Burke plays guard or forward,’’ Lagan noted. “Both are great leaders and both are vital on offense and defense. Madi is a terrific rebounder and blocker and Ally can rebound and play solid defense.’’

Lagan is also appreciative of her coach.

Coach Hinnenkamp is a wonderful motivator who pushes us to reach our potential,’’ she emphasized. “He’s respected and he’s understanding and kind. His practices can be fun but they’re also challenging. I like competing for him.’’

Lagan is as comfortable in the classroom as she is running Natick’s break. She’s vice president of the National Honor Society and has a 4.5 GPA. Still undecided on her major and where she’ll attend college, Holy Cross and Boston College are two possibilities.

Lagan played varsity soccer for two years and will continue with track next spring. She also enjoyed participating in unified basketball. 

“I rely on an athletic philosophy of working hard, being competitive and enjoying whatever sport I’m playing,’’ she said. “If those things are occurring, then winning usually follows. And, some life lessons I’ve learned in sports are how to overcome adversity, how to be a leader and a team-first player, how to communicate and how to manage your time.’’

Calling her parents (Daniel and Maryanne) role models for stressing a strong work ethic and for their support and encouragement, Lagan is optimistic that Natick’s talent, experience and team chemistry will be key components for success in the playoffs.

Maggie Lagan is also acutely aware that good health is another key ingredient.