The girls Varsity basketball team maintained a 12 game winning streak, won the West Coast Jamboree Tournament, and has an overall record of 20-4. The team looks to once again make it to the Northern California Section (NCS) playoffs as they did two years ago, but this time, with a goal to bring the title home.
The team beat many Marin County Athletic League (MCAL) teams including Redwood (36-29), Archie Williams (40-33), and Branson (51-33), yet they lost to Marin Catholic twice. As they move into the playoffs, their MCAL record is 13-3.
The team’s main point guards include junior Keeley Wright, averaging 13 points per game, junior Lailah Carey, averaging 10 points per game, and junior Selina Ruano, averaging 7 points per game. However, the team thinks defense is where they thrive.
“We thrive on the defensive end,” senior and Team-Captain, Maddy Choker said. “Even though we are not a big team size wise, most of our stats lie in the defensive area as we are fast and aggressive.”
Fellow senior, center Keira Engler, agrees.
“I think our biggest strength is having lock down defense and having so many points of attack that anyone that can step up to get us points.”
Head-coach Tony Butler explains how well the team plays together.
“The strength of this team is the chemistry and joy they get out of competing together,” Butler said. “We like to play an uptempo, fast paced style that is fun to both play and watch.”
Prior to NCS and MCAL playoffs, the team stands in fourth place for NCS and third for MCALs.
Two years ago, the team made it to the NCS playoffs, but got knocked out early, placing seventh in the NCS Division 3 playoffs.
“I’d like to see us make it farther in the NCS playoffs than we did two years ago,” Senior and team-captain, Jenna Nottingham said.
At the West Coast Jamboree Tournament in Livermore, the team went 3-0 and won first place in the Onyx bracket. Players point to this mid-season tournament win as what changed the outlook for the season.
“Winning the tournament definitely gave us some momentum going into more league games as it kept up our winning streak and showed us the first close game of the season,” Chocker said.
Junior point guard Keeley Wright was named MVP of the tournament and Keira Engler and Jenna Nottingham received All-Tourney awards for all-around great gameplay.
“We are a big family, we are all super close outside of the court, and I think that’s why we do so well,” O’Hara said.
“We obviously want to win every game but at the same time all that matters is that we all worked together as a team and feel proud,” Butler said.
As the end of the season approaches, the team is in sight of the MCAL playoffs, while they also hope this year to make it to NCS, where they will continue to advance to the next level. The captains and coaches are proud of the girls teamwork.
