Kate Sears playing at a home game during the regular season. Photo Credits: Watauga Yearbook
Sophie Parker, staff writer for The Powderhorn
The 2023-2024 season was an unforgettable year for the Watauga Women's Basketball program. Following a successful regular season, the team paved the way to the final four in the playoffs. A glimpse into how Watauga is preparing for the upcoming season reveals that the players are determined to get back to where they left off and make history once again.
“We did preseason workouts all throughout the summer and into the beginning of school,” said Isabella Mohr, dual-rostered sophomore. “The workouts consisted of lots of live play, so 3 on 3 or full court 5 on 5, but also some skill work. We went to some tournaments to practice playing together before the actual season started. I think the team is prepared for the season and all the work we put in this summer definitely helped with that.”
Varsity is not the only team that has been putting in the work to prepare for games, the Junior Varsity team has also been gearing up for the season with their own goals in mind.
“The team and I are really excited for the season. Our practices have been good, good energy and everyone's been very supportive,” said Susanna Goff, sophomore and Junior Varsity player. “I think a big goal we could have is to go unbeaten this year because we were only one game away last year. I think if we could do that, that would show improvement.”
Mohr and Goff both touch on how much focus the teams have during training and how encouragement and leadership are never lacking, which is why they have shown improvement even through adverse situations.
“Last year, and every year I've been here, we've increasingly gotten better and better,” said Kate Sears, Senior Varsity player. “I think at the beginning of the season it was a little different without Coach Berry being there and having Torg (Torgeson) as our head coach and just adjusting to that. We lost three seniors that all started so that was also an adjustment, but I think we always knew we could make it far in the playoffs every year.”
The adjustments that had to be made were taken in large strides, and the team quickly regained a laser-sharp that advanced them into the semi-finals. Though it was a tough loss, the experience and compilation of hard-work was nothing short of incredible.
“I think as a team after last year, we always want to get back to where we were, want to make a run, want to try to make it to the state championship,” said Sears. “But that's really hard to do, and last year we just played our best basketball at the right time. And that's always the goal, but it's really hard. So I think just continuing to work and trying to get back to where we were.”
Big ambitions always come with even bigger expectations, but the pressure the team feels for the upcoming season is as much motivation as it is stress.
“I mean I think people don't always understand, like when you start doing good, individually but also as a team, and people kind of start recognizing you, there's always pressure,” Sears said.
Nevertheless, pressure makes diamonds, and the future of Watauga Women's basketball is promising. The team feels prepared as they continue to train and practice toward the games that lie ahead. Not only Watauga High school, but the entire community is excited to see what this winter will hold for the team.
“We’ve worked hard to be put in this position,” Sears said. “Playing the games, that's the fun part, and so I’m just trying to enjoy it, especially with it being my last year in high school.”
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