This basketball season has been eventful. The season started late, and the team only had two weeks to practice before the first game. Overall, the team has put their heart on the line to finish the season strong. Their aggressiveness and support for one another have helped them get through the season.
“I started playing basketball when I was a little kid, and when I was too undersized to play in college, I looked into [coaching] girls’ basketball so I could continue doing what I love. From where we started, and where we are heading, there has been improvement from everyone, from top to bottom. We grew from day one until the end of the season. We have stayed focused, we battled in every game, worked hard at every practice, and have been all-around good teammates. It’s about being a family and working together for a common goal,“ John Kaercher, 7th and 8th grade girls basketball coach, said.
Even though the team started late, they have been putting in the work to get better for games. The team also has a passion for the sport, and they like to win.
“I think we’re getting better as a team, and we’re growing. The scoreboard doesn’t show it, but how we play does,” Lilly Rachuba (7) said.
Most of the girls on the team haven’t played in the past. For most of them, this is their first season playing.
“I’ve played since third grade. My parents played basketball, and it was a big part in their lives. When I tried it for the first time, I loved it and realized I wanted to continue playing. Record-wise, we haven’t won many games, but if you watch our games, we have improved a lot. At the beginning of the season, we played as individuals, but now we play as a team, and we have grown a lot as a team,” Lucy Tyler (7) said.
Even though the team hasn’t won all of their games, they have improved drastically, and they have all come together as a team. They are growing and loving the sport together.
“My dad has played, and he has inspired me to play, and I have played since fourth grade, and I have just stuck with it. At the beginning of the season, we weren’t strong and our stamina wasn’t great, but with each practice and game, we have improved a significant amount,” McKenna Kalinoski (8) said.
This season, we have had many kids from 5th to 8th grade attend these games. Most kids are there to spend time with their friends, but they are still cheering and supporting the team.
“Some things I do to cheer on the team are I clap for them, I yell, and I get excited when they get turnovers,” Kira Gilarno (7) said.
