In only a matter of a few short weeks, the basketball season will officially begin. An aspect of this sport that is often overlooked is the girl’s basketball team. Yes, while most people don’t take the time to recognize it, the lady Bobcats are taking this time to work hard to prepare themselves for their upcoming season.

Varsity coach Megan Noll, JV coach Nicole Gazetti, and freshman coach Bill Palacois officially made their selections as of Nov. 12. Since then, the girls are putting in over 12 hours per week of hard work in order to be physically and mentally prepared for their games, especially since Grand Blanc has joined a new league and will be playing new teams.

“We are excited to see what the new league has to offer,” said varsity coach Megan Noll.

Noll is very pleased with the talent she has chosen for her team and can hardly wait to see what they put out on the court. She has a good mix of girls with experience and new faces. Noll said to look out for key players sophomore guard Destiny Stevens and senior guard Kylie Welch, the potential “game changer.” Ultimately, their goal is to win the new league district championship.

The other coaches are quite confident in their ladies as well. Both coaches have high hopes and expectations for their teams and are sure that they are all fully capable of meeting them. Freshman coach Bill Palacois, or “coach P” as he is known to his girls, is expecting at least a 13-4 season and will be surprised if it turns out to be anything less. He has told us to keep our eyes peeled for Sierra Pedrin, Erica Hines, Kendra Freund, and Britney “Brownie” Bowie, who he feels with help lead his team to their victories.

While all three teams are practicing to polish and condition their shooting, dribbling, hustling, defense, and other physical parts of the game, the coaches and the players all agree that the most important factor to winning games is the fact that the team bonds together and becomes comfortable with one another to make the team gel together.
“We can’t accomplish our goals unless everyone buys into the team mentality,” said varsity coach Noll, “the family aspect is very important.”

Coach P has three things he believes makes for a good team player: working hard, having a good attitude, and respecting your teammates.
“We don’t win anything without bonding as a team,” declared coach P.
Needless to say, the lady bobcats wear the word “family” on their attire to remind them that the only way to get where they want to be is to depend on one another and have good relationships with their fellow teammates.

“If we can bond as a team then we can face any team that comes our way,” said JV player sophomore Tere Cooley, “when we bond we become a family.”