With a new season approaching for any sport, it also signals the forming of a new legacy. This can particularly be said for the Selma High School girls’ basketball team.
The official season of girls’ basketball kicked off in November. The team put their skills against Madera South for their recent game of the season, winning with a score of 45-39 on November 26.
With the new basketball season, the team has been able to work to gain improvement in specific fundamentals that need attention.
Coach Alvarez is the girls’ basketball head coach who has been guiding the girls through their two hour practices six times a week. She is excited to be able to see this team bring victory to this season.
“The goal of the season is to win! We want to be one of the hardest working teams in the state,” explains Coach Alvarez.
While she is also aware of the hardships they come across, she knows that learning the new system is difficult, which is their main focus on perfecting this season.
“It is not an easy task to learn a new offense and defense, but they have been so coachable and adaptable to the change,” explains Coach Alvarez.
While being the coach, Coach Alvarez has the assistance of Coach Rachel to help her shape the team.
Coach Rachel has been coaching for the majority of her life on and off as a student athlete during the beginning years. However this is the first year in which she is full in the season.
“What made me coach this sport is my own love of the game and I want to take my experience and impact the girls,” commented Coach Rachel.
Additionally, she also hopes that with the correct determination and time dedicated to this season, the team will bring wins and make the necessary improvements.
“Of course we want to win the games,” Coach Rachel explained, “but overall I want the girls to know that they are getting coached up and improving every day.”
Senior Jenna Gonzales has been playing basketball for eight years now. She hopes that for her final season in high school, they are able to bring a win to the league but also just enjoy their last moments on the team.
“The main goal of every season is to win the league,” explains Gonzales, “but I also want to have fun for my last year with my team and make memories.”
Being in a sport can take a toll on a player’s personal responsibility and academic life. However, with the correct organization and planning, they overcome these inconveniences. Gonzales agrees that it’s essential to make slots on how to fit a sport and academics together.
“The thing that helps me the most is planning around those events and keeping myself accountable,” claims Gonzalaez.
Each team member has their own motivations that they take into consideration when it comes to each season. Avnique Gill, a senior on the team, is guided by the idea of this, considering it’s her final time playing with her friends for Selma.
“My main motivation,” explains Gill, “is it being my last season with the girls I grew up playing with and I just want to lead them to a successful season that’s memorable.”
Although the season has just begun, the team has a long road to form new memories and to shape themselves in order to accomplish the goals they desire.
