By Allison Koth

Interesting, memorable, stressful, fun, exciting, tough, rewarding, exciting. The seventh and eighth grade girl’s basketball team and coaches used these words to describe their basketball season. “I had a lot of fun,” said Layla Young, an eighth grade basketball player. “I think it went well,” said Ava Deimling, an eighth grade basketball player. The A team had a great season with a record of 11-5.

The team has 2 coaches, Mrs. Hanley and Coach Reutner. “Mrs. Hanley encouraged us and was also tough when we needed it… Mrs.. Reutner helped us understand the plays we didn’t know,” said Ava Deimling. “Coach Hanley is a leader,” said Layla Young. “Mrs. Reutener is irreplaceable,” said Mrs. Hanley. 

      Over the season, the team had a lot of fun playing and hanging out with their teammates. “I had fun because I got to hang out with my friends and I got closer with the seventh graders,” said Ava Deimling. “My best memory is playing with my teammates,” said Layla Young. 

During the season, the team faced challenges. Layla Young twisted her ankle the week before the tournament in a game against CCD. This was a tough setback but the team recovered quickly. Another obstacle the team faced was “Clark [Montessori]” said Ava Deimling. They were one of the harder teams in the bracket. “I think the hardest part was getting the girls to believe in [themselves],” said Mrs. Hanley. 

Despite these challenges, the team overcame them and created happier memories during the season. “My best memory is playing with my team,” said Layla. “The best memory of the season for me was our last game against Clark in the semi-finals,” said Mrs. Hanley

There are many traditions that the team does every year such as going to get ice cream near the end of the season. Ava Deimling said “Ice cream” was her favorite part of the season. The team is also required to turn in their phones in order to go to Greater’s. “The intent is for our team to talk to each other and bond on the van ride,” said Mrs. Hanley. Another tradition is doing a free throw ladder. You have a chance to shoot 30 free throws and if you get more than your opponent, you take their spot on the ladder to try to reach the top of the ladder and win. 

Over the season, the team improved tremendously and became closer with each other. “The season was a success because we improved individually and as a team and had fun while doing it,” said Mrs. Hanley