It is that time of year when the Lewis Cass Girls’ Basketball team is back in action. Only losing one player from last year, the team is coming back stronger and better than ever. The girls are returning with colossal expectations and goals this season. One of the major goals the girls and coaches have on their minds is winning the State Championship.
The girls’ season tipped off on Saturday, November 8, against the West Lafayette Red Devils. The Lady Kings took down the Red Devils with the score 34-12. Next, the ladies took on the Manchester Squires, who were sectional and conference opponents. After a hard-fought game, the Lady Kings took the win with the score 61-43. Recently, on Saturday, November 15, the Lady Kings took on the Tri-Central Trojans. The ladies racked up another victory over the Trojans with a 57-24 score.
When talking to the girls’ head coach, Coach Amor, about his goals this season, he said, “I let the players decide season goals. They obviously want another winning season. Many of them expressed a goal of winning 20 games. With my seniors and returning underclassmen, I definitely think those are obtainable for us this season.” Amor also said that we have started the season off 3-0, and many players have played well, but one standout performance was senior AnnaLeigh Hedrick in the tough matchup against Manchester. Coach Amor followed with “Not only did she score 20 points, but she also led the team with five assists and four steals. This happened in a game that was tied heading into the fourth quarter. She (Hedrick) did it in a tight conference battle versus a talented team.”
The Lady Kings start the season coming off back-to-back sectional championships. Coach Amor said the whole team agrees on wanting to three-peat and win a third sectional. “Our sectional is tough. Manchester gave us a tough game this year. Rochester has always played well against us, and Oak Hill is good again. We have all the right pieces to make it happen, but we just have to make sure our daily practices are championship-worthy. Our seniors have played in a semi-state game. They want that again. And many admitted that they want to play for a state championship.”
With the team having four of the five starters returning, they already have the playing experience to do better than the years prior. One of the returners is senior, Ava Hubner. Starting off the season, Ava stated, “ Not to be cocky, but I expected to start off 3-0.” She has high hopes for this season and believes we could go undefeated. Ava said that since she is a senior, her role on the team has changed over the years. Hubner said she has to be a better leader than in the prior years. Ava’s post-season goal is to make it further than the team did two years ago, which was semi–state.
Adding to the team this year are two foreign exchange students, Marina Melian Cabrera and Paula Pons Barca, both of whom are from Spain. When asked what the difference is between American basketball and Spaniard basketball, Marina said it is quite different from Spain. There are different rules in Spain; one of those rules is that in Spain they get a gather step before they get their two steps. Paula said here the pace is faster and the style of play is more physical. She also stated, “I feel that American basketball works the middle range shots and three-point shots better than in Spain. Also, here they have a lot of plays to memorize.” Marina went on saying that she loves the relationship between the teammates and coaches. Paula said she loves the environment of the team because everyone works hard and encourages each other. Marina stated, “I hope that Paula and I could raise up the team level and help the girls’ team not just in games, but also in practices to get better and achieve big things such as winning State.” Paula plans on contributing energy that brings the team’s spirit up and staying consistent by working hard.
Overall, there is a clear goal the girls’ basketball team is trying to achieve this season – winning a State Championship. The girls are off to a great start this season. Come out and support the Lady Kings this season. Like coach Amor said, “We are going to be fun to cheer for all year.” The Lady Kings are back in action on Wednesday and Friday this week at home, with tipoff starting at 7:30 pm.
