Last season, the team made it to the Central Coast Section playoffs. With an overall younger group and tough months of practice ahead, the varsity girls basketball team is determined to place in the top three in its league and repeat its qualification for CCS this season. The team consists of three freshmen, two sophomores, two juniors and three seniors, with only five veterans, including team captain senior Julie Chen.

“As a young team, I guess we’re focusing a lot on bridging the gap between [former] JV and varsity, and really having the younger players step up to rise up to play varsity,” Chen said.

Chen has been on varsity since her sophomore year. This year, as a team captain, she hopes that despite the age gaps, the players will bond with one another, during and after the season.

Infographic by Issra Osman.

With the returning players come also the rookies, whether they are former JV players advancing to varsity, upperclassmen trying out for the first time or freshmen emerging from middle school with high hopes and enough experience to qualify for varsity. Freshman Amoli Tadiparthi, who played on her middle school team, is one of these newcomers.

Tadiparthi describes her basketball experience prior to MVHS as more lax and with opponents that were not as intimidating. They would practice plays regularly without emphasizing conditioning or precise technique as much.

The freshmen aren’t alone in terms of experiencing immense changes from before. Varsity coach Sara Borelli plans to get the newcomers ready and confident for a successful season.

“I think we’re just getting them prepared mentally for the competition that we’re going to have,” Borelli said. “So jumping from what they saw in eighth grade to now, what they’re going to see on varsity.”

As for the whole team, the players must focus on, adjust and enhance certain aspects in overall play. Lacking the height of players in previous years, the team wishes to practice shooting to increase their percentage in games, as well as condition more in order to outrun other teams.

“Definitely just working on the defense,” Borelli said, “breaking down the defense more often and slowing the game down in practice so everyone knows where they’re supposed to be.”

And with that, the team anticipates tough practices, solid performance throughout league matches, qualification for CCS and an overall enjoyable season.

The team’s first home game will be on Dec. 10 against Independence HS at 8 p.m.