As the winter sports season begins, the girls’ basketball team is looking forward to a positive season.

     “I am expecting, at least hoping, for a successful season. We play hard teams in our conference which makes us have to work a lot harder. Also, I’m hoping we end with a winning record for my senior year. We have skills on our varsity team—we just need to use them all the time,” senior point guard Kaela Cheesman said.

     Unlike past years, the team will be forced to face a challenge in size.

“Our team is fairly small in size as well as number, with only seven full-time varsity players. If you compare that to last year when we had nine or ten strong players with previous varsity experience, we face some adjustments,” senior center Jeni Steele said.

Despite this, the team remains strong and hopeful.

“As a team, we are young and not very big, physically, but we have acute focus this year to unify as a team on and off the court, and outplay our opponents through the last round, to the final buzzer. And I know that if we play with intensity and heart and give all of our glory to God, nothing is impossible,” Steele said.

The team’s differences are seen as an advantage to Cheesman.

“We act and play more like a team. We all get along a lot better with no drama,” Cheesman said.

As always, the girls are working hard in practice in order to see results on the court.

     “We have got to hustle. We will, more often than not, be out matched in experience. During games, we have to be the more aggressive and more determined team out there. Also, as the girls can testify, we have done quite a bit of running in practices to prepare us for the hard plays and few subs,” Steele said.

     The Bulldogs focus on teamwork and heart on and off the court.

“Our top priorities are to work hard as a team, and we play for each other. We don’t want selfishness on the court, Also, we have priorities to keep our attitudes in check and to not get mad at each other or put each other down, it’s about staying positive and keeping our heads up,” Cheesman said.

As the season takes off, encourage the Lady Bulldogs by coming out to the games and supporting the team.

“Come to our games. It is crucial to have a big and excited crowd to help get us fixed up. Thanks to all who came to the past few games—you guys were great.” Steele said.