New leadership Girls basketball team turns to younger players for leadership
T
his year, the girls varsity basketball team lacks one thing: senior leadership. With only four returning varsity members, most players on the team are playing varsity for the first time. As a result, some of the returning varsity players are stepping in to fill that leadership role. “We don’t really have a lot of people that can lead,” junior Olivia Smith said. “So we have to step up as leaders, everyone on the team, and just fill in a role that we don’t have.” In the absence of seniors, many returning varsity players, including sophomore Joirdyn Smith, have filled that leadership role. “I would definitely say Karina Scott, she’s another varsity player from last year, she’s a junior, and then the twins [Hailey and Olivia Smith], have stepped up quite a bit,” Joirdyn Smith said. “I think those three specifically have stepped up in
Abby Miller
milleabi002@hsestudents.org
their leadership.” Being that they are a young team, the team has regularly faced competition that has more varsity playing experience. However, according to freshman Ava Carter, they still believe that they are building something very special. “We play a lot of teams who are mainly senior- and juniorled,” Carter said. “We have leaders on our team that aren’t seniors, and we have really young girls stepping up.” For many players, this year is a learning experience, and according to Joirdyn Smith, the team is “willing to learn.” “We’ve just been learning on the job, really,” Joirdyn Smith said. “Every game, we are getting better, we’re improving in practice, we’re listening and doing the little things. This year there has really been an emphasis on little things for us to be successful.” Since there are no seniors, it
means that the team will not lose any players to graduation at the end of the season. This provides the rare opportunity for the team to stay together for the next season. “I think our team will really have a chance to gel more,” Carter said. “We’ll have more team chemistry.” With the conference schedule approaching, the team will have to gain more experience while also developing their leadership skills. “I’m excited to see how far we get in our conference,” Carter said. “I think that we can go a really long way with the team that we have.” This season has provided a new experience for all members of the team, and has allowed players the chance to grow as a team. “I think it’s definitely created a bond for us,” Olivia Smith said. “We all have to hold each other accountable and play together as a team.”
The Lady Tigers drive towards the basket in hopes to score during the game against Zionsville. Fishers won 61-50. Photo by Abby Miller.
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Tiger Times
December 2021
