As demanding pre-season workouts led to significant improvement, members of the girls’ varsity basketball team are off to a tremendous start to the new season they have been eagerly anticipating.
Most of the team’s players are returning after having played on the team for several seasons, but for the freshmen and a few others who tried out, this will be their first year playing on Varsity.

The coaches of the team this year are Head Coach Heath Kent and Assistant Coaches Helen Valli and Patrick Ostapowicz. While Valli and Ostapowicz coached the girls last year, Kent is thrilled to coach the team for the first time, especially after observing so much skill and progress during summer and pre-season practices. Even before the season has officially begun, Kent can already see high potential for success in several members of the team.

“There is a whole list of kids who I can see really stepping up this year and contributing to the team,” Kent said. “As long as the girls are willing to work and earn it, good things will happen.”

Returning for her second year on Varsity, Junior Haley Wartman looks forward to what her third season will bring. “I think our team has the potential to do really well this season,” Wartman said. “Coach Kent really knows what he is talking about, and I know he will lead us in the right direction.”

The devoted team began practicing as early as the summer. A lot of players showed up to summer practices, which is hopefully an indicator of the hard work that the team will put forth throughout the season. For the girls who were able to make the summer and preseason practices, they were helped the players get into shape and prepare for the season.

Senior Iesha Powell has developed goals for both herself and the team.

“My personal goal for this season is to be a strong offensive leader for the team,” Powell said. “I am also really hoping that our team will win districts this year.”

Junior Allison O’Neal, a returning player this season, has an optimistic outlook on how the team can learn from last year’s season.

“All of the returning players are extremely excited to start the season,” O’Neal said. “We are all trying to learn from a disappointing season last year to try and make improvements for this season.”

With former players having graduated and new players joining the team, the girls are looking forward to bringing their skills together into one team.

Senior Erin Bax is really excited about the girls on the team this year.

“A lot of us have played together in the past and been really successful, so we’re hoping we can achieve the same success this year,” Bax said. “All of the girls are also more committed than we have been in the past.”

Coaches and players have several goals for the season that they will work towards fulfilling.
“My goals for the team are that we continue to improve our levels from week to week and game to game,” Kent said. “I hope that as we work together to improve as a team, wins will follow.”