By Milan Nguyen
Signaled by the falling leaves, the basketball season has recently started, and the girls basketball team is preparing for victory.
Currently undefeated in league play, the girls are building on last year’s success as well.
“I feel very good about the season ahead. The team is very balanced and the girls have a lot of team chemistry. My hope for the season is that we compete at the highest level and improve everyday, playing our best basketball at the end of the season. I also hope all of our student athletes have fun and excel in the classroom,” coach Jared Honig said.
Last year, Honig was voted coach of the 2018 year by the Daily News.
Last year, the varsity team won 28 games overall and lost only six games. They also won the league title with no losses, marking the fifth year in a row that they have won the title. The team was ranked 28th in the entire state of California.
Last year’s team also had four players honored by the Daily News as all-area players. Alumni Emily Mitchell was selected as Player of the Year. This year’s girls have big shoes to fill.
This year the varsity team will participate in three non-league contests, four tournaments, and ten league games before the city and state playoffs. One major tournament is the West Coast Jamboree in the Bay Area, one of the most competitive tournaments in the country. Both the girls and their coach are hopeful that they will be successful in the tournament.
“Every year is a new challenge. We always hope to build on the success of the previous season. The goal in our program is to get better everyday and put full effort and enthusiasm into everything we do. That is our definition of success,” Honig said.
Team members are also hopeful and excited for the new season. They are training very heavy for the season.
“I am very excited to head into the season because our team has been working so hard all year long, and I’m ready to see all of the success that comes with the grind. I feel like many athletes dread training, but honestly I love it. Training has really helped me improve my overall strength and increased my skill level,” senior Ashley Jeong said.
Their success in previous years as well as their continued success this season are signs that this season will be a great one. Come support the girls at their game tonight in the Burroughs Optimist Tournament at John Burroughs High School.
The Plaid Press 