The school’s elite girls basketball team is at it again, working hard to tear it up on the court this year and hopefully take their skills into the post-season.
With daily practices, including Saturday practice, the Lady Spartans have got a lot to look forward to. Games twice a week and tournaments looming put pressure on the team – but it’s not affecting the ladies too much, as confidence among the team is high.
“We’re all feeling pretty pumped because we have our offense going,” said junior Haley Blankinship, a guard on Varsity.
With a new season brings new game strategy – including a new offense this year. Its goal is to focus on ball-cutting and “picking” or “screening”. In addition, the basketball team plans to improve on communicating on defense.
“During practices we have to yell and scream,” said sophomore Emma Sharman, whose plays shooting guard on Varsity.
This will aid in communication because the players will be able to clearly hear each other through the loudness of crowds and the squeaks of shoes during games.
Every season differs from the last; this season is no exception – it contains its own unique challenges. This season includes playing teams of various skill levels, which can prove to be a feat to conquer. Blankinship is concerned with playing teams on different levels – going from less-skilled teams to teams with better reputations means the Lady Spartans have to tighten up their skills quickly to adapt to the heightened expectation and competition. Competitors to watch out for this season include T.C. Williams and South Lakes High School. They pose a hurdle to success, but one that the WS team hopefully is able to clear.
Good connections within a team are also important to success. Blankinship definitely understands this.
“I’m just [going to] see how it is. I’m kind of getting into the flow of the team and getting to know some of the other players,” said Blankinship.
Team bonds are something that athletes look forward to making and cherish once they have them. And once solid connections are formed, a team figures out the quirks and characteristics of its members and can effectively work together like a well-oiled machine. And it seems the Lady Spartans may have already acquired this knowledge.
“We’re doing really well at scoring and winning,” said Sharman, an essential skill any great team must possess.
Keep it up, Ladies.