The girls varsity basketball teams is currently tied for second place in the district. They will play Salado today at home.
“Tuesday’s game will be another challenge, as every district matchup is competitive,” girls head basketball coach Marcus Chapa said.
The girls varsity basketball team is 16-9 and JV is 17-3 in district as of Jan. 16 after their games in Jarrell.
“The season has been great,” senior varsity player Keaton Owens said. “We’re [ended] the preseason with an 8-0 win streak.”
Owens said her favorite part of this season so far has been post-game wins and how “hype” they are after the game.
“Everyone is at a high right now, and we all are bringing energy into practice and that carries to our games,” Owens said.
Owens said she physically prepares herself for games by going over and running different plays, as well as stretching as much as she can so she doesn’t risk getting any injuries.
“I definitely have seen a difference in my performance because at the beginning of the year I was working my way to get back into shape since I had been out due to an injury that left me missing my entire junior season, and now I’m back into shape and my mental focus is better,” Owens said.
Junior JV player Mykel Johnson physically prepares for games herself by trying to have fun during practice.
“I definitely have seen a difference in my playing performance,” Johnson said. “I’m more aggressive and I control my emotions a lot better.”
Johnson mentally prepares herself for games by reminding herself that it’s okay to mess up as long as she knows she did her absolute best.
“My favorite part of the season so far was the McCallum tournament where we got 1st place and you could just feel that we got a lot closer and were able to play for each other even when we’re being challenged,” Johnson said.
Girls basketball coach Doug Messer said he feels like the team has grown a lot throughout this season.
“I believe we have raised the expectation and are understanding accountability,” Messer said. “We’ve had some highs and lows and we are a TEAM that finds strength in struggle.”
Messer said the team prepares for games by viewing videos of opponents and walking through their schematics.
“Since day one, there has been a major improvement in attitudes, confidence, selflessness and coachability,” he said.
Messer said his goals for the teams are to go to playoffs, compete for district championship and take one game at a time.
“My favorite part of this season has been beating Jarrell at Jarrell and having a 9 win streak, as well as JV currently having an 11 game winning streak,” Messer said.
Messers’ expectations for a player during a game is to be coachable, stay floor ready and play for each other.
“I look forward to the rest of this season and continued success this year and in the future,” Messer said.
