As this year comes to an end, a new season begins. Winter sports such as basketball, hockey and swimming are beginning for a lot of students. Sophomores Clare Phillip and Addison Redmon said they are both excited for their first time on this year’s girls varsity basketball team. Phillip said how the start of the season is going.
“The season’s going very smoothly, Although we haven’t had any games and we have to wake up really early, morning practices and after-school practices have helped me a lot with getting ready for this season. We have our first jamboree [3 game scrimmage] on Thursday,” Phillip said.
According to MSHSAA, this years’ season consists of 16 games. Phillip said last year’s tremendous time and effort that was put into the season makes them even more motivated to win. Although Redmon said she sometimes had a tough time with juggling school and basketball, she keeps a steady approach to focus on her games.
“I really just lock in and make sure my mind is set on the game,” Redmon said. “ [I try] not to let the pressure get to me. Sometimes when the tension is high I just try to really focus on the game and take deep breaths.”
In rivalry games, pressure is high between the two teams, so it is very important to keep a stable mindset during the game according to Redmon. She said the competitive games of the season are times to also look forward to. Phillip said she’s looking forward to the games this season and the comebacks from the teams they lost to last year.
“During the season, I am looking forward to playing against different schools, especially Webster and St. Joe,” Phillip said. “Knowing that we lost to Webster by one last year, we are really determined to win. Hopefully, we can get far in districts and can keep a good record towards the end of the season.”
Redmon and Phillip said they have similar goals of being successful as a team and individually. Redmon said what warmups look like before every game. She does these to play to her full potential she said.
“Before the game, I will stretch out and shoot on the side to make sure my form is right,” Redmon said. “Also depending on the time we have I will practice warming up with my teammates whether it is passing or focusing on dribbling.”
