Sometimes it’s a strong veteran who leads vocally and isn’t afraid to hold the team accountable. Other teams have gifted scorers who are not afraid to put the team on their shoulders and fight for the win.

The Archbishop Williams girls’ squad has both.

Senior Kayla Papazian, a 5-foot-11 forward from Plymouth, and junior Sara Ryan, a 5-9 guard from Quincy, have led the Bishops at the defensive and offensive ends of the court, respectively.

Their leadership, both on and off the court, have been a huge reason why the Archies started the season 8-1, and sparked title hopes to Independence Avenue.

“Kayla is a very verbal, emotional player,’’ said Jim Bancroft, in his 10th season as coach. “On defense, she’s giving kids instructions to go here or go there, calling out screens, and everyone feeds off of that.

“Sara is a leader just in the way she plays. There’s no give up, just all out all the time, doesn’t play half speed at all. They are two different types of leaders, but they’re both very effective.’’

Being the leader of a team with postseason expectations can be daunting, but it’s a responsibility Papazian has graciously embraced.

“I love being captain,’’ said Papazian, in her second season in the position. “I can’t say I’m the perfect captain, but every day I’m working harder to be a better one.’’

Her development as a leader is something that her teammates, coaches, and even fans in the stands can hear for themselves.

“She talks,’’ said Ryan. “She talks a lot. She’s so loud the whole gym can hear her, [but] it builds your confidence when you’re on defense knowing you have someone that’s out there talking, and that makes it easier’’ for the rest of the squad.

While Papazian is the vocal, defensive-minded leader, Ryan is the offensive leader who embraces a lead-by-example philosophy. Ryan, who averages 16 points per game, has the ability to see the floor and orchestrate the offense, and is a huge reason why the Bishops average over 70 points per game.

“Sara knows where to put the ball,’’ said Papazian. “She has a great basketball mind and she has good eye contact with everyone on the court. We know when she’s going to come down, fake a shot, and go up for the layup. I would definitely say that she is one of the best offensive players I’ve played with.’’

While Papazian and fellow senior Aiden Duquette don the captain’s “C’’ on their jerseys, Papazian says creating a cohesive, unified team takes more than just one or two players: It takes commitment from the entire roster.

“We have a lot of young girls, but we have six other seniors, and everybody incorporates the younger girls’’ in the game plan, said Papazian. “If they screw up, we help them perfect their game and tell them what to do. When we leave, we want them to be a great team.’’

One of the younger players, sophomore guard Leah Spencer, transferred to Archbishop Williams from Brockton.

“They push me,’’ said Spencer. They “encourage me to become a better player on and off the court.’’

Ryan and Papazian each have developed a better understanding of the game the past three seasons, their knowledge and skills only enhanced with their tournament experience.

They have been a part of 14 playoff games, losing twice in the Division 3 state semifinals (to Swampscott in 2009 and Pentucket in 2010), and once in the South semifinals (Coyle & Cassidy in 2011).

“Experience just motivates you,’’ said Papazian. “So with the younger group of girls, we [help teach them] how to take on the look of a championship team.’’

Bancroft believes the quality of leadership on this squad mimics the leadership on his teams from 2006 to 2008. Former Bishop guard Christine Duffy was captain during both of those seasons, and helped the Bishops capture back-to-back Division 3 state titles.

“The leadership when [Duffy] was here was pretty similar to this team,’’ said Bancroft. “This team has a whole lot more talent than we did then, but the leadership was probably just as strong the two years that we won it as it is right now, so that’s going to help’’ the team.

The Bishops are hoping this hybrid of talent and leadership will culminate with another celebration on the floor of the DCU Center in Worcester come early March.

North Quincy boys aim for postseason

Sometimes, you just need something to play for.

After getting a taste of the MIAA South Division 1 tournament last season, the North Quincy boys have their five primary starters back from last season, and they are itching to return to postseason play.

Senior Tim Liuzzo, a 6-foot-4 center and three-year starter, is now in his second year as captain of the Red Raiders. He, along with fellow senior Paul Cunniff (forward), and juniors Marquis McClendon and the Gould twins - Pat and Dan - have the Red Raiders off to a 7-1 start. Dan Gould is contributing roughly five 3-pointers per game.

The fact “that they competed at the varsity level last year, and to go through those growing pains and find ways to win, it’s definitely paid off’’ this season, said North Quincy coach Kevin Barrett, in his sixth season at the helm.

“They got a taste of the tourney last season, going down to play a good Needham team on the road, finding out what the tourney environment was all about, and having that taste in their mouths inspired them to get [better] in the offseason.’’

And his squad remains unselfish. “Nobody is looking to get their name in the paper the next day, which is refreshing for me,’’ said Barrett. “As long as after 32 minutes we’re in the locker room talking about the win, they don’t care about how they get there.’’

North Quincy heads to Bedford tomorrow for a nonleague matchup before returning home for a Patriot League date with Hanover on Friday.

Here and there

With their 64-52 win over South Coast rival Bourne Jan. 10, Wareham (10-0) became one of the first teams in the state to reach the 10-win plateau. The only other team in double-digit wins to this point is Boston Latin (10-1), which reached the mark after beating Weston, 66-50, that same day.