Rylie Harlow is introduced. / Photo by: Sue Moss

Whitman-Hanson Regional High girls’ basketball senior captain Rylie Harlow has committed to play at Fitchburg State University.

Rylie Harlow is taking her game to the next level. 

The Whitman-Hanson Regional High senior has committed to play basketball for Fitchburg State University.

“I did a tour early September, and I pretty much knew right away even before I had visited the campus I wanted to go there,” Harlow said. “When I went to Fitchburg, I loved the campus and I automatically connected with the coach.”

W-H girls’ basketball head coach Mike Costa said the Falcons are getting a player who is constantly working on ways to improve.

“She is extremely coachable and will do whatever it takes to win,” he said. “She has worked so hard on her game and has improved so much since the end of last season.”

Harlow is headed into her fourth year on the varsity team and was elected as a captain for the upcoming season.

“I definitely think that it’s a huge honor,” Harlow said. “I’ve had some great captains and hope to leave my teammates proud.”

Last season, Harlow was a pivotal player for the Panthers, who posted their best regular-season record since 2009-10 and collected their first tournament win in eight years. 

“Rylie was our rock last year — just a solid player all around for us,” Costa said. “Rylie doesn’t force anything. She lets the game come to her and gives the games what it needs. Defensively, she turned into our best all around defender and was tasked at guarding the other team’s best offensive player on most nights.”

“Offensively, she didn’t have eye-popping numbers but was known for hitting some big shots when the game was close and on the line.”

The 5-foot-8 Harlow, who recorded 34 steals and averaged 5.1 ppg last season, said her basketball IQ is a big reason for her success on the court. 

“Because of my height, I usually ended up having to know the positions of the guards and post players, so I would say that I have to be pretty versatile,” she said. 

Harlow said she hopes to have a “somewhat” normal season this winter. 

“I feel like as a team we should have a strong season depending on what happens with COVID,” she said.