Girls’ basketball (4-8) kicked off the season on Nov. 19, bringing in new players and excitement to the team. Here are three players to look out for during the new season: point guard and junior Maddy Nguyen, combo guard and freshman Yuri Ha and shooting guard and sophomore Kelcie Fan.
Nguyen is a transfer student from Crean Lutheran High. CIF transfer rules require new players to sit out for the first half of the season, but that has not stopped Nguyen from doing her best to improve and contribute. As a point guard, Nguyen hopes to help offensive players focus on shooting and help facilitate the defense in the back, according to Nguyen.
“Our best players are having to be point guards when they are better shooters,” Nguyen said. “Just being able to allow them to shoot the shots they’re comfortable with will help a lot.”
Despite having to play against harder teams this year, Nguyen is feeling optimistic about her first year as a Bulldog.
“I’ve learned about my chemistry with the players on the team while sitting out,” Nguyen said. “I know now what they like to do, so that when I come back, I can learn and use that to my advantage.”
Ha facilitates both the team’s offense and defense. This year, she is focusing on playing an aggressive defense against tougher and bigger competition, according to Ha. As a first-year Bulldog, she is also excited to bring more energy to the court and gain more experience with her team.
“Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose, but we have to build relationships together,” Ha said. “My progress on this team is way better because the coach knows me well, and he brings out the best in me. My team also helps and supports me while I play.”
Fan improves by the day, with her constant and targeted practice. Not only has she gotten better on the court but she has become less nervous and more confident due to her relationships growing with her teammates, according to Fan.
“I’ve been trying to improve my defense and my shooting percentage,” Fan said. “After practice, I put up more shots and get on the shooting gun. And then in practice, I make sure that I listen to what the coaches are telling me for pointers.”
Fan implements the advice her coaches and teammates give her into every game. Her improvement has helped her assist her teammates in scoring points and prevented opponents from advancing.
“I find the open spot and shoot the ball when I am open,” Fan said. “I also stay in front of the person I’m guarding and make sure to stay in to help when on defense.”
These players are just a few of many to watch out for in the new season. Ultimately, the most important part of the new season is to gain new experiences and bond with the team, according to Nguyen.
“We’re playing very hard teams this year, so we’re not going to win as many games,” Nguyen said. “But the girls are getting so much stronger, and we’re learning more about each other and ourselves. I just hope that our team can play together as a group into the new season and make it to league.”
