Girls’ basketball strengthens bond in order to benefit play

Tianru WangStaff WriterDespite having an overall record of 1-16 and 0-2 in the Ocean League, girls’ basketball remains undaunted and optimistic.According to guard Nicole Rosenbach (’14), the team is focused on winning games that genuinely reflect its ability.“Currently we are working on improving our record,” Rosenbach said. “We really want a few more challenging wins this season. Not just easy wins, but challenging wins where we can come together and play as a team.”Rosenbach believes the primary weakness of the team is its lack of absolute unity during games, but adds that the perseverance of the players will help overcome that.“Our main weakness is that we occasionally struggle to find each other on the court, sometimes we just don’t play as a team,” Rosenbach said. “[But,] our strengths outweigh our weaknesses, we are an extremely hard working team, not one player gives up regardless of whether we are winning or losing.”Guard Lezlie Rueda (’14) agrees with Rosenbach on the team’s strengths.“We are a fast paced team and have a very good defense and offense,” Rueda said.According to Rosenbach, planning and practice has helped bring the team closer as a whole.“Recently, we have been solving these difficulties by altering our practices to better fit the type of team that we are,” Rosenbach said. “During these practices we work on certain plays that we try to execute during games. We are constantly working on improvement.”Silvestri describes the bond between teammates as something that unites them both in the jersey as well as out of it.“They learned how to trust one another on and off the court and it was a building from the beginning of the school year,” Silvestri said. “This trust is reflected in their play by the effort they give during each of our games.”According to Rueda, casual excursions outside of school helped in developing the camaraderie between the players.“Sometimes we go to The YMCA or Johnny Rockets together,” Rueda said. “We also went ice skating together once but usually we all just hang out. Every time we go to Johnny Rockets we have a great time just talking and eating. “Forward Amanda Foshag (’15) elaborated on the influence the bond of the team has on her as a player.“A huge strength of our team is how close we are and the fact that we’re essentially family,” Foshag said. “On or off the court, I can come to any of my teammates if there is something I need.”twang@thesamohi.com