Girls Basketball

sports 15

Panther Prowler • Dec. 17, 2021

Girls’ basketball builds trust and teamwork

Nandini Patro Editorial Editor

On a rainy Tuesday afternoon, Newbury Park girls’ basketball took home their first win of the pre-season against Oak Park High School on Dec. 14, scoring 45-20. This victory has changed the outlook of the team and given them confidence to win more games into the new year.

The varsity and junior varsity teams are packed with new players from every grade. The season officially starts in January once the Marmonte League begins, but the team has been competing and practicing in pre-season tournaments to prepare.

Alanna Young, senior and one of the captains of the varsity team, enjoys playing on the team and practicing with new members this year. “I knew there were going to be a lot of new freshmen on the team this year so one of the things I really wanted to incorporate was like if they need anything, I’m there and just having a good environment for them,” Young said. To Young, fostering an inclusive environment is a priority as a captain. When she was a freshman, she had a senior on the team who guided her through her high school career and she wants current freshmen to feel that same comfort on the team.

Olivia Antu, junior and point guard on varsity, feels as though much of Young’s hopes have come true. “I really enjoy the team first off, we have a really good connection and have great chemistry outside of the sport itself too.” The team works like a well-oiled machine, with each member there to support the others. “If we weren’t all on the same page we wouldn’t be able to really play successfully so I’m really glad I have the teammates I do,” Antu said.

Antu’s love for basketball started unexpectedly. After playing softball for ten years. She decided to give basketball a shot. “I asked my mom if I could play [recreational basketball] and from there I got on the team and we ended up winning the championship,” Antu said. Like many dedicated athletes, Antu also plays for a club team as well and both players enjoy training outside of school.

On junior varsity, Ria Dudhia, sophomore and guard for the team, enjoys playing for her team. “We all get along really well and seem to understand each other pretty well,” Dudhia said. For Dudhia, every position on the team is important and contributes to the team’s achievements. “All positions are assets to the team,” she said. “Guards I feel like help out the most and they are sort of like the core of the team because they’re always open when you need them.”

Overall, the girls on the basketball team have a special bond that only comes with spending hours on the basketball court. “I just really enjoy the time that we all get to spend and learn and grow together and become better players,” Antu said. With the momentum that they have built, the team hopes to win at their next game at Chaminade.

Fast break- Lauren Davis, junior, drives the ball to the net dribbling around the other team’s player. Davis and Antu both play as guards on the team, each position is thoughtfully chosen to each player’s advantage. “Usually our taller girls are usually down low playing the post but I am usually bringing the ball down as a point guard,” Antu said. Reese Kelem/Prowler

Varsity boys’ soccer heads into the new season

Allison Nguyen Features Editor

After months off the field, many of the players on the boys’ varsity soccer team have been waiting patiently to play again. The team kicked off their new season this month.

Adam Olson, senior, has been on the varsity team for two years. Around the time his club season ends, Olson immediately starts training for the school team, never slowing his pace. “[We have] practice every day from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and we do a lot of running. Eric, the coach, definitely likes for us to be in shape. We just do some passing drills and he just likes to keep it fun,” Olson said. “We just started pre-season, and we took three to one against Taft and it is one and one in the season [as of December 1].”

For many athletes like Lucas Perez, junior, joining a high school sports team is about the people and the environment. “My favorite part is definitely playing with my friends from school. It’s such a different environment because usually in club [soccer] you play with people from other schools and you don’t have that same bond that you have with your school friends,” Perez said.

Bohdie Ing, freshman, is one of only two freshmen that made the varsity team this year and echoes much of Perez’s thoughts on the team culture. “I met most of these kids this year and I’ve already [gotten] along with pretty much all of them and I joke around and have a good time every single practice and game,” Ing said. “They’re like role models to me for my next few years so that I can become a better leader.”

Even though the season has just started, team members have been challenged by other varsity players. “Since I’m a junior, there’s kids that are bigger than me when I go against other teams, like other seniors from other schools are really big and fast…so matching their athleticism is probably the hardest part [about playing on varsity],” Perez said.

Although intimidating at first, facing other schools will be a new and fun challenge for many of the newer team members, including Ing. “I feel like I am around the same level as other players and some are even better than me, but I feel like they will make me better and I can make them better,” Ing said.

No matter what challenges they face in their upcoming season, the boys are looking forward to a fun time and creating camaraderie with new teammates. “[It’s] cool to be with guys that you talk to outside of just soccer because in club [soccer] we strictly know each other for soccer and don’t really do much outside of soccer,” Olson said. “With the high school team, it’s more like a friendship and a team.”