Wolverines’ girls’ basketball team has some fresh faces and loads of talent

December 9, 2023 1:30 am
Contributed photo Back row: Charley Lawrence-Sampson, McKenna Clark, Mia Germain, Vera Schoultz, Sheya Welty, Bella Ross, Anna Gustafson Front row: Brandy Lawson, Caylee Morton, Sarah Cruz, Atziry Orozco Jimenez, Lili Carrillo
Contributed photo Back row: Charley Lawrence-Sampson, McKenna Clark, Mia Germain, Vera Schoultz, Sheya Welty, Bella Ross, Anna Gustafson Front row: Brandy Lawson, Caylee Morton, Sarah Cruz, Atziry Orozco Jimenez, Lili Carrillo

By Maria Magana-Navarro

Journal intern

Another year, another season, and girls’ basketball is ready to take it to the court once more.

With Sue Grenfell leading the team again, now in her fifth year of coaching, she feels very positive about this season. There are many returners as well as new faces to the team. The past year there were three 8th graders on the varsity team and now they are starting as freshman. Along with new faces, three senior captains are ready to lead the team. Those girls are seniors McKenna Clark, Sheya Welty, and Bella Ross.

Some things have changed and things that have remained the same. For instance, this season the Junior Varsity team is coached by Dianne Heller, a teacher at the middle school along with volunteer Mandy Baker, as she’s played basketball in the past.

The goals for the 2023 season are to focus on control, reflection, effort, and sportsmanship. And even getting an opportunity to lead the team into the postseason. “Our first top goal is trying to mentally win every game. But then, of course, it is always fun to win on the scoreboard. We’re looking forward to our two biggest rivals Orcas and Coupeville. So, we’re hopeful to come out on top,” commented coach Grenfell.

Continuing from overcoming one’s limits, senior Captain McKenna Clark is set on overcoming her own physical and mental battles. Due to a minor accident during the fall season, she ended up with a broken right hand hindering her ability to play basketball.

“It’s definitely been hard trying to figure everything out because I still don’t know when I will be back,” commented Clark. “Everyone’s really good this year and even without me will be great.” What Clark has been doing while healing is fulfilling her role as a captain and as a member of the team. She attends every game and cheers from the bench while her teammates push forward, waiting excitedly to join again and play on the court.

A notable goal she wishes to accomplish is beating longtime rivals, Coupeville. The Wolves are typically the team that determines if the girls go into the post-season. “We beat them once so we had to play them in the post-season and we lost by one point. So I’m just kind of excited to hopefully get a little revenge and go into post-season,” Clark added.

The Lady Wolverines are ready to push forward despite all odds and overcome their limits. Show support for the girls by attending the games.