A Year of Growth: Redefining Watauga Women's Varsity Basketball Team

Freshman Josie Mayo, number 21, bringing the ball up the court during the Watauga vs. Avery basketball game. After a hard fought four-quarter, Watauga secured a 53-46 win. Photo Creds: Ebe Santes

Lillon Henline, Feature Desk Lead

After years of carrying the weight of expectation, the Watauga Women's Basketball team is entering a season defined less by pressure and more by possibility. With the graduation of a dominant senior class and elite athlete Kate Sears last year, the Watauga Women's Varsity basketball coach, Bill Torgerson, has reshaped his approach with this year's team. He has a large group of young athletes, bringing a fresh dynamic to the court. Moving away from a star-centered style of play, he is emphasizing encouragement, enthusiasm, and long-term growth rather than immediate results. 

“Nine of the players are freshmen. They're very coachable and enthusiastic. So they're really fun to work with and the future is promising,” said Coach Torgerson. “It's young, enthusiastic players who are coachable. So it's felt fun so far.”

A new group of players is setting the tone this season, bringing a fresh energy and different dynamic to the program. Compared to previous seasons led by an older group, this year's team is taking a different approach, with prominent freshmen contributing in key roles. 

“Josie Mayo and Mia Mitchell have each started some games and they are among our leading scorers. Josie Mayo is averaging 13.7 points a game. Mitchell is also a freshman, mostly averaging 8.7 points per game,” said Coach Torgerson. 

While their contributions have made an immediate impact this season, Coach Torgerson emphasized that the game is more than the number on the scoreboard. The team's attitude and energy play an equally important role in the success of this team. 

“Whether we just hit a big shot or dribbled off our foot, the body language is the same,” said Coach Torgerson. “We go on to the next play with a lot of effort and enthusiasm." 

That consistency, regardless of the score, has become a defining trait of this year's team. In previous seasons led by Kate Sears and other dominant seniors, Coach Torgerson felt a sense of pressure and constant expectation of success that was brought to every game. With a new group of leaders, a younger roster, and changes across the conference, Coach Torgerson feels a noticeably different dynamic this season. 

 “It’s just a more relaxed atmosphere,” said Coach Torgerson. “If I were going to use one word, I would use the word ‘lighter’.” 

The ‘lighter’ approach has opened doors for a wide range of players to make a positive impact on the team. Coach Torgerson pointed to several players who have helped shape the team’s identity this season.

“Izzy Torgerson and Shelby Thompson– they’ve continued the culture that was built before. Rooting for teammates, giving high fives, bringing positive energy to practice, and telling teammates they’re doing a good job,” said Coach Torgerson. “It’s filtered down through the rest of the players.”

Rather than relying on one focal point, the team has seen contributions from players in a range of situations. Those efforts have helped define the group’s identity this season. 

“This year, everyone’s touching the ball. Everyone has a role,” said Coach Torgerson. 

Together, this team is built on a foundation of shared efforts of positivity, trust, and encouragement. For a program in transition, the selfless approach has come to define what success looks like this season. 

“They’re really fun to work with, and the future is promising,” said Coach Torgerson.