After a disappointing 4-16 season last year, the girls’ varsity basketball team is looking to turn things around and win more games this upcoming winter.
Experience is going to be a key, as only two seniors were lost.
“We have a lot of kids back from last year,” said head coach Steve Hassler, who lost Taylor Ryan and Sam Easterbrook to graduation.
Senior guard Rachel Reem and junior forward Lisa Bender are the captains of the team this season. Reem led the Maples in both scoring (eight points per game) and assists (five per contest) last winter.
“We’re going to be better,” said Reem. “Hopefully we’re going to win more than four games.”
Reem has this belief as she and other teammates have been working out throughout the fall, in the weight room after school and participating in 3- woman workouts during weekday evenings.
Sophomore Brittany Lea, a dedicated participant in the weight room, was also optimistic.
“We’re going to come out strong,” Lea said. “The team was young last year, so we should be ready.”
And if there’s one thing the team needs to be this year, it’s ready. They are now in Division III, after playing last season in Division IV. This means that they will have to play tough foes (such as rival Birmingham Groves) two times this season due to the division change. So while improving the team’s record may be a priority, it will be even more difficult than it was last year to do so.
But according to the head coach there’s more to the game than just winning.
“We’re looking for improvement,” said Hassler.
Though one of the team goals is to win more games, the season will be truly successful if there is improvement (both individually and as a unit) throughout the team.
The girls’ season kicks off on Wednesday, December 3 against Lamphere High School, at Lamphere.
