By Jenna Baker & Arlene Sanchez

The Varsity Girls Basketball Team has big work ahead to keep their nine-year streak as League champions, the team continues to practice and push themselves. They work harder and harder toward achieving the title once again.

The girls have begun the season with tournament play against a variety of schools including Louisville, Valencia, Ventura, Crenshaw, and Oaks Christian High Schools. They have had a mixed run with both wins and losses. However, the girls are optimistic about the season. League play begins in January.

The team sees its biggest competitor as Birmingham Community Charter High School. Games are always close with Birmingham, and this year, they have new transfers and improvements to their team.

“This year Birmingham has a lot of new transfers making them a more difficult team. This is a challenge as we have lost many of our best players and also have a new coach,” senior Emma Perez said.

Still, the players have high hopes and expectations for this season as they continue to do team bonding and practices.

Every Wednesday, the girls eat lunch together and talk about how they can improve as a team and as players individually. They discuss team goals, plays, and scouting reports during lunch and take this time to bond.

With daily morning practices, as well as Saturday practices and film sessions, the players work towards being able to play through every possible scenario.

“I’m excited to see how far our team has come, even with last year’s seniors graduating and getting a new coach. I want to see the work that we’ve put in,” sophomore Alyssa Badua said.

With a new coach, newcomers to the team, and the absence of two-time John Wooden Award winner, Marianne Boco, due to a torn ACL, the team has a lot of pressure to readjust to succeed.

Watching from the sidelines, Boco is doing her very best to help the girls out and critique their playing. By supporting her team and helping them at the same time, Boco is doing all she can to contribute to her best extent.

“This year is a year of change and adapting, so there is just a need to take the learning from the coach and take our talents and skills into the future games, ”junior Reagan Cruz said.

With more games and opportunities to come, expectations are high for the Varsity Girls Basketball Team. The girls will be playing in a tournament December 8-9 at Burroughs High School in Burbank. Make sure to wish our team well.