High hopes for girls' hoops as they enter season
It is that time of the year where fans swarm Samo’s North Gym as the girls’ basketball team begins their 2019-2020 season. Previous successes lead players and fans to be optimistic about this Samo team’s chances of dominating the League this year. This upcoming season brings together skilled returning players like St. Martin University commit Iternite Reed (’20), as well as talented newcomers like Karen Garcia (’23) and Brielle Minor (’23), to create an overall team that is more than ready to challenge Samo’s rivals in their quest for a CIF bid. In preparation to bounce into the season, the Samo girls players are pumped up emotionally and are training with vigor. In practice, the athletes are honing their team approach, practicing their shots and developing strategy. With players like Jordan Zecher (’21) and Aurelia Aubrey (’22) creating scoring opportunities and Rachel Kim (’21) filling in a utility-type role, the coaches and the players believe that the hard work in the preseason will yield great results in upcoming games. Even after not being able to play last year, Brown University commit, Chantal Moawad (’20), is thrilled to be back on the court and has high hopes for her team.“I’m really looking forward to this season since I couldn’t play last year, and I have high expectations for this team. We have a bunch of pieces coming together and overall; I think we’ll look great on the court. I’m just working hard to go all out and do my best in this last season I have,” Moawad said.Although Samo won most of their games, last season produced mixed results and the team did not achieve their CIF goal, although they made it to round two. However, the team gained the experience necessary to mature into one ready to rebound and play hard in every game this year. The team, coached by World History teacher Douglas Kim, has been preparing their offensive strategy and their defensive press on the court. Incorporating their game plan, ball handling and teamwork will be the keys to success in the 2019-2020 season.“We enter this season with great anticipation and high expectations…While we had to replace a fair chunk of scoring, we will be a faster team this year and it will allow us to play into a more exciting style of basketball,” Kim said.Girls’ basketball played their first exhibition game on Friday, Nov. 22, but they continue to look forward to their league game, which begin on Jan. 8 against Culver City. Overall, the Samo varsity girls’ basketball team is excited and optimistic to beat the buzzer in the season to come.