SPORTS
Franchise Freshmen The basketball team has high hopes for the season and looks to talented freshmen to help achieve those goals.
BY RACHEL ERGOVICH REPORTER After four long days of basketball tryouts, the wait was finally over. The girls trying out for the basketball team would finally know if they made the JV or Varsity team. Butterflies fluttered in the stomachs of some girls as they anxiously awaited the news. Many of the girls heard good news, especially for a large number of freshmen. Freshmen Amaya Adams and Sarah Totta are on varsity. While, Meghan Frerking, Afton Fennewald, Maddie Young and Mariah Lynn are on JV. Many of the freshmen have played basketball from a young age, and most of them have also played on competitive teams. Adams, Totta, Frerking, Fennewald and Lynn all play on the same competitive team, Boost Impact, and even though they aren’t an official Amateur Athletic Union team, they compete in AAU tournaments. They feel that their experience playing together will benefit them during the high school season because they know how each other plays and they feel that it will relieve some pressure when it comes to the chemistry aspect of the game. “We know what [the other girls are] going to do before they do it,” Adams said. Junior Camille Keane believes that the freshmen will have a major impact this year. She isn’t sure how many will play on varsity because of their inexperience in high school games, but she thinks that they could be assets to the team. The
freshmen’s talents will help to add depth to the team, especially on the bench, something that was lacking from the team last year. Keane said that last year’s team often relied on one person to score points and step up in important moments. “Last year we weren’t as deep of a team talentwise, and we would have a couple of players playing most of the game for varsity,” Keane said. “[This year] it’s going to be more of a team effort.” Head Coach Jared Pitts also believes that the freshmen will have a positive impact on the team because they are very competitive and have played basketball for many years. He thinks that they will have significant roles on the team as they begin playing games and that they will all have the opportunity to have a considerable amount of playing time. Even though the team is shorter than last year’s team, they make up for that in their quickness. “I think we’ll be able to get up and down the floor and apply a little bit more pressure than we have in years past,” Pitts said. “I think we’ll end up having a very good season because of it.” The girls and coaches all share common goals for the season, the largest of which is winning the state championship. Other than state, the biggest point of emphasis will be on improving their abilities as basketball players. Even though they want to improve individually the biggest focus is improving as a team and becoming more competitive as a group, both in practice and in games. “Our goal for every year is to win state,” Pitts said. “But most importantly I think it’s for the girls to have a great experience playing basketball, having fun while they do it but also being as competitive and prepared as we can [be for] each and every game.”
AMAYA
ADAMS
“I’m looking forward to uniting and playing as one.”
AFTON
FENNEWALD
“I’m looking forward to having a good season and improving.”
MEGHAN
FRERKING
“I’m looking forward to playing in the STA games.”
MARIAH
LYNN
“I’m looking forward to gaining experience in a high school setting.”
SARAH
TOTTA
“I’m looking forward to having fun with all my friends.”
MADDIE
YOUNG
From left to right: freshmen Meghan Frerking, Afton Fennewald, Maddie Young, Mariah Lynn, Amaya Adams and Sarah Totta. Before practice the girls stood waiting for team pictures, each excited for the season to finally start. (Photo by Rachel Ergovich)
“I’m looking forward to get to know the upper classmen.”
(Photos by Madison Heide)
10LE JOURNAL ISSUE 3
