Firing on all cylinders for the 2023 girls basketball season, coaches and players are ready to attack the court with passion for the game and top-tier sportsmanship.
As usual with the start of a new season, old and new players have a chance to make their mark and show out to be the spotlight on the team.
One of the team members, Junior Ariel Watford, has been in the gym all off-season “working on shots” and utilizing “running drills and suicides” to become a faster player when it comes to game time.
However, along with working for the top spot, players must first recognize the areas in which they need improvement before gunning for the spotlight. Watford knows this, and she recognizes that “being a post player” was one of her biggest challenges in the game last season.
“Sometimes I missed my midrange shots,” Watford said, noting the reason she has been in the gym putting up those same shots to improve.
Junior Maia Johnson, another player on varsity, recently transferred to Warren from Lawrence North. She has enjoyed her time here right from the beginning.
"It was kinda easy because when I first got here, everybody was nice and just welcoming,” Johnson said.
Johnson’s position on the team is a shooting guard, which fits her because one of her strongest attributes on the court is that she can shoot the ball really well. As every player has their Achilles heel, though, Maia does too.
“I would say keeping up with the pace and the momentum of the game because they do go very fast,” Johnson said.
To combat her challenges on the court, Johnson keeps in mind the challenge of playing varsity and uses that to push herself to play better.
“At my last school I was playing JV, and now im playing varsity with better talent and competition,” Johnson said.
Watford, Johnson and the rest of their teammates all have various preparation rituals for game days.
“If I wake up and it's a good day, then I know it's gonna be a good game,” Watford said.
Johnson, on the other hand, has a bit of a different approach when it comes to getting ready for a game.
“I just listen to music, talk to my teammates and I like to shoot before the game so I’m prepared,” Johnson said.
Just like the players, coaches are also excited for the season, and their sights are set on earning a state title for the team and the school.
“I’m excited about this year for girls basketball,” assistant coach Paul Minor said. “We are trying to push the girls to work hard. We are trying to rebuild our culture and also get the girls to buy into Coach Mitchell’s system and culture. Like anyone else, we are trying to get a state ring.”
All in all this year's girls basketball team hopes their season will be overloaded with excitement and buckets, and they want Warriors to come out and show some support.