Good Spring Commitment

When we went to "The System", it was my hope that it might generate a higher level of enthusiasm and also increase our numbers. So far this spring, that seems to be true. Normally when you lose your entire starting lineup to graduation, it would be a major concern. Obviously we have some big shoes to fill for next year. When I met with our returning players at the end of the season, I told the returning players that we could not compete for championships next year if all they did was to get a year older. We need returning varsity players and players off the soph team to all work to improve their skills and increase their strength.

Whether it is the excitement of playing in "The System", the inspiration of the past season, or the commitment/loyalty they feel toward their teammates- we have a lot of girls showing a commitment to improve. To be champions, you can't just show up in November and expect to win.

We have fifteen players who indicated interest in playing varsity basketball next year. And the really exciting thing is that we have 19 incoming freshmen interested in playing basketball!

Of our 15 interested in playing varsity basketball, 7 of them have been involved in spring sports. Sharron Diggins, Myra Diggnins, and Allison Mangieri are in track. Marisa Miller, Danielle Teel, and Hannah Smith are involved in soccer. Chloe Anderson is playing softball.

We have 7 players not out of a spring sport who are actively involved in a strength and conditioning program. Obviously it is not fun lifting, jumping and doing conditioning work. Paige Klinck, Jessica Lieber, Rainee Sibley, Emma Junk, Sadee Hamilton, Micayla Eisele, and Kaela Jackson have all had 100% attendance with the exception of two players who have had to miss for doctor's treatment of injuries. But even while dealing with their injuries, they have come to support their teammates as they work.

And those 7 have been regularly shooting on the Gun, and they have been joined by Allison Mangieri and Chloe Anderson shooting regularly on the Gun. So at this point we have about 9 players who are trying to get 100 made threes a night on the Gun.

To play at a championship level, we have a lot of work to do- but so far this spring the players are doing the work.