Dartmouth High’s girls’ basketball team is headed to the round of 32 in this year’s playoffs after a dominant 58-41 win against Middleboro in the preliminary round on Feb. 27.

The Indians got off to a quick start in the game, taking the lead immediately and refusing to give it up for the rest of the match, despite some tough defensive play from their opponent.

Head coach Brian Jalbert attributed the strong opening to the team’s work in practice over the weekend.

“We had a great practice yesterday and that momentum carried over,” he said. “Everyone was so into it and when everyone’s into it we play so well together.”

Dartmouth entered the tournament as the 29-seed after an 11-9 season, playing Middleboro (36) for the opportunity to advance to the round of 32.

With their first game out of the way, the Indians will look to carry their winning momentum forward as they prepare for a tough matchup against fourth-seeded Westwood.

“Westwood is a great team so it’s going to be a tough battle,” Jalbert said. “We’re the underdogs, but there’s nothing more fun than making a tournament run in high school basketball and that’s the goal for this team.”

Jalbert said despite mixed results this season, it has been a great experience for the whole team — one they’re not ready to give up just yet.

“It’s just been a lot of fun and we don’t want it to end, to be honest,” he said. “We know that after that next loss it’s over, so we don’t want to lose.”

The coach added that one of the highlights of the season has been the emergence of team captains senior Abbie Zuber and sophomore Katherine Cheesebro.

“Their leadership is incredible,” Jallbert said of the pair. “Everyone looks up to them and they lead the right way. It’s like having a couple of coaches on the field.”

The team will take on Westwood in an away game on Friday, March 3 at 6:30 p.m.