Head coach Karen Karatkiewicz will be leading this group of girls for her second season, and with that comes many changes. For instance, senior captain Maggie Kelderman worked with Coach K all throughout the summer.
“One huge difference between this season and last is that we had a whole summer with Coach K to learn a new offense and work together to build team chemistry,” Kelderman said. “Over the summer, she consistently opened up the gym, and it’s apparent that the summer workouts are paying off so far this season. We also did three weeks of conditioning leading up to tryouts and have continued pushing the pace during practices and holding ourselves to high standards.”
Not only has the team been learning plays and getting stronger in the weight room, but they have been focusing on goals and expectations as well. Senior captain Maggie Sneider knows how beneficial it will be for the team.
“[We have been doing] a lot of goal setting and expectations,” Sneider said. “It’s been challenging because we all just want to play, but it will ultimately be beneficial.”
One goal in particular is to have a winning season. Last year, the girls ended the season with a 9-15 record and took a sad loss against Rockford to finish off the season in district finals.
However, this prior record is only motivating the girls. A key aspect for Kelderman is the standards that coaches are making for the team.
“Our coaches make sure to set high expectations,” Kelderman said. “[They] hold us to a high standard, and we have been working super hard.”
Even with the motivation and high standards, there is much happening off the court as well for the girls to have a successful season, a large part being bonding. Without chemistry between teammates, there is a sense of disconnect that can drive a team into the ground. For the girls varsity basketball team, this will not be an issue. The team has already had months of bonding, from time on the court to team dinners afterward.
Nonetheless, Kelderman is still excited to grow closer with this team, even with the great chemistry they have so far.
“My goals for our team are to have a winning season and become a closer group,” Kelderman said. “We have super good chemistry and have been playing really well in practice. We also played well in our first scrimmage against FHE last week.”
Along with great chemistry comes the attitudes as well. Snieder knows how much a positive attitude can change a game.
“[I want] to keep a positive attitude so I can enjoy my last season and we can still be successful,” Sneider said.
Always keeping a positive attitude can be difficult at times, especially for the captains. For Kelderman, she knows that it will have to be a regular statement. That, along with being her teammates’ cheerleader, is the focus she will take as a captain this year.
“With being a captain, I’m gonna make sure to stay positive, and I’ll always be my teammates’ biggest cheerleader,” Kelderman said. “Everyone plays a huge part in completing our team, and I want to make sure that everyone feels valued and that they are important to the team.
With many expectations in line, goals set in place, and plays being run over and over, the girls are ready to get on the court. Sneider is not only ready but excited for the team’s first game against Hopkins to truly show off how hard the team has been working as a whole.
“I’m really excited for our first game,” Sneider said. “I think we are just hoping to implement what we have been doing in practice and see our hard work pay off in the form of a win.”
