The Woodside girls varsity basketball team opened its year with a decisive 52–30 win over Independence on Nov. 24.
With most of last year’s varsity players either left after graduating or not returning for this 25-26 season, leaving only four returning players, the team enters the season with a fresh roster. Last year, the team finished 13–12 overall and 7–5 in their league, while junior varsity (JV) finished 17–4 overall and 7–2 in the league. This year’s group, however, is sure to bring new talent to the court, said returning varsity sophomore Lyla Rich.
“The fact that we lost eight of our 12 players, it’s like we had to almost fully rebuild our team around the four of us that were remaining,” Rich said. “We can’t be the same team that we were last year, we’re just enhancing the skills that we already have.”
Rich added that the short time between the start of practices and the first game added to the challenge, but the group is working steadily to adjust. The new team changes how opponents should view them, Rich explains that this year’s roster is not the same one other schools played last season.
“I think after last season, a lot of teams have a vision of us in their minds, and they’ll play us a certain way, but that’s not our team anymore,” Rich said. “We’re almost a completely different team, so going into the season, we have to show these other teams that we’re not that team we were last year, we’re better than we were, we have different players and different skills.
Returning varsity sophomore Meadow Long noted that the coaches have taken the newcomers into account when making plays, adjusting things to better suit the skills of the new members.
“I think we have a very different team than last season, so we have a lot of new plays that better accommodate who we have on the team,” Long said.
The shifting and rearrangement of teams has created opportunities for younger players to take on larger roles, one of which is Long, who has been stepping up as a leader early in this season, Rich said.
“Meadow has been stepping up as a leader, because last season she played varsity for the second half of the season and was just starting to get into her role,” Rich said. “I think this season, she’s come out of her shell a little bit and become more of a leader alongside the others.”
With the varsity’s roster being mainly newcomers, JV is a team of many fresh faces as well. New sophomore JV athlete Evelyn Singleton talks about what she looks forward to during her first high school season.
“[I’m excited] to meet new people and just kind of have fun in practice and with my teammates,” Singleton said.
The returning and new players alike have specific personal goals for this season, with both Singleton and Long talking about improving their ball-handling and shooting skills.
“Last season, I made the most three pointers out of anybody in the league,” Rich said. “So I think I want to beat my record from last year, and get at least a few more.”
Rich stresses the importance of team chemistry, especially in a teamwork-reliant sport like basketball. To accomplish this, both varsity and JV have been practicing hard with each other to get a feel for the team’s strengths.
“We’re not gonna be perfect, but we’re just working really hard to get to know one another on and off the court,” Rich said. “So when we do play, we know each other well enough to win.”
As the team continues to work through these beginning practices and games, the team’s improved communication and chemistry will help strengthen their connection and performance, both Singleton and Rich said.
“It seems like it will be a good, close, tight-knit team, which I’m really thankful for,” Singleton said.
