By HockomockSports.com Staff

Taunton didn’t have to go far to find its new girls basketball coach.

Alexandria Petit, an eighth-grade teacher at Taunton High who spent last season as the head coach at nearby Middleboro, has been hired as the Tigers’ new head coach.

Petit guided Middleboro to the state tournament in her only season at the helm of the Sachems.

Petit takes over a Taunton program that went 9-12 last season and qualified for the state tournament.

“I am thrilled to be taking over the girls’ basketball program at Taunton High School,” Petit told HockomockSports. “I am looking forward to carrying on the great tradition of excellence in Taunton athletics. I hope to incorporate a competitive and exciting brand of basketball while also providing a well-rounded experience that will develop young girls into their best selves on and off the court. I am grateful to my athletic director, Rapheal Dowdye, and the entire interview committee for their belief in me. I can’t wait to get to work.”

Petit began her coaching career at the college level as an assistant coach at Ursuline College, her alma mater for both her bachelor’s degree in English and master’s degree in education.

A former Division 2 player, Petit played three seasons at Point Park University before entering the transfer portal and finishing her playing career at Ursuline.

Petit played two seasons at Ursuline and was unanimously voted team captain for the 2023-24 season. As a senior, she helped lead the Arrows to a 6-0 start, the program’s best start in more than 10 years, and was named Ursuline’s 2024 Newcomer of the Year for all athletics.