As the first whistle blows and the ball bounces on the court, a new chapter begins for our girls’ basketball team this season. This years 2024-2025 season will not only bring achievements for Ridgeview High Schools girls’ basketball team, but our players will face challenges that will allow the girls to come back each game stronger than the last.
The girls’ persevered through rigorous work to be the talented players they are today when they perform on the court. Varsity girls’ basketball player, Victoria Smith Chaplin, who holds the position of playing center, reflects this when she mentions, “We have been working really hard getting in the gym as much we can, we have been getting in the gym over the summer working out…getting stronger, as well as learning to work together and learning new skills”. That way the team gives an outstanding performance on the court, making it much more difficult for opponents to defeat our basketball team. These workouts make it easier for the wolf packs players to have the strength, stamina, and craft to defeat opposers. What allows the girls to make it even more challenging for opponents to compete against these gifted players, is that most sports players on the team like Smith-Chaplin plays two other sports, “I play volleyball and I also run track and high jump so I definitely do a lot of physical work when basketball season is over, which also plays a part in improving my performance on the court because I’m always constantly working out”. Which again holds an advantage against Ridgeview’s team’s rivals. These gifted basketball players are a living example of the strength of determination and teamwork because of their extraordinary abilities, dedication, and love for the game.
Point guard and shooting guard Nyla Jackson prepares for this season by playing, “AAU so summer basketball, most of this team has played on that team with me and we’ve just been working out all summer”. Then again giving the girls’ an advantage of accomplishing more wins against other schools basketball teams. Due to most of the girls’ playing basketball as a team during the summer outside of school this allows for the girls’ such as Jackson to view team work as, “Family, especially with this team we haven’t even gotten a few months into conditioning and they already feel like family already arguing good arguments with them and having fun with them so this season feels a lot like a good family.” Therefore making this season’s girls’ basketball team not just each other’s teammates but family members which makes them a strong team.
Girls’ basketball coach Eric Singleton strives for the team to maintain a positive attitude while communicating on the court. Singleton also uses this strategy in building teamwork, such as, “Making practices so that when they find themselves in situations where it’s hard they can communicate”. This makes it essential for players to utilize teamwork, and versatile communication skills. This season coach Singleton hopes for his players, “To get better each day and grow both on and off the court”. He wants a preserving team that constantly excels. Therefore, constructing dignity.
As the season draws closer, the excitement and anticipation surrounding the team’s potential set the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable journey on the court. A sport that brings disciplined, hard working, players. Which as a whole creates a unified strong team to overcome and win any obstacles along the way to victory.
