The junior high girls basketball team head coach Randy Peterson, is joined by a new assistant coach, Rachel Wilson. After the resignation of previous coach Cally Yeager from the assistant coach position, Wilson stepped up and took the role.
“All the eighth grade girls miss Cally a lot but we understand why she left. I don’t think it will negatively affect our playing too much because coach Wilson is also a very good coach,” eighth grader Emma Mourousas said.
With there only being five eighth graders, they are going to have to step up and be team leaders.
“I’m looking forward to working with them because now that I’m one of the older girls on the team I want to be a good role model,” eighth grader Brooke Wells said. “Last year was my first year and I was nervous about making mistakes or asking questions when I didn’t understand. I want to be someone who they can ask for help without worrying what they’ll think.”
In a normal season there would only be seventh and eighth grade playing but with only 14 girls, they are now allowing the sixth graders to play and get more involved this basketball season.
“I like being involved but it also feels like we are really behind since we haven’t played before,” sixth grader Rinn Schechter said.
With eight sixth graders, there are some concerns about their lack of experience playing but the junior high girls are excited to have them on the team.
“The sixth graders get more experience and time playing. So in years to come they will have more experience,” eighth grade Natalie Neff said.
Many of the new team members may not have experience on the court but that doesn’t diminish their love for the sport.
“I think playing basketball and loving the sport is what matters, not if you are new or
haven't played the sport before,” seventh grader Dakota Phillips said. “I have always thought of the sport as something I wouldn’t like but now that I’m playing basketball I’m really enjoying it and I am probably going to keep playing for the years to come.”