The girls varsity team of the 2025-26 season has quite the unique mix of players. With seven upperclassmen and seven underclassmen, the team adopts a different power dynamic. The girls varsity basketball team has five starters with 2 of them being sophomores and two of them being freshmen, who have shown their skills, abilities, and have risen above and beyond the team itself. With the rise of the young players, the team begins to perform and collaborate fully as a family , not as the underclassmen or the upperclassmen divided, but as the girls varsity basketball team united.
“The age is very different from my past teams. Upperclassmen are usually the majority of the team, but that doesn’t stop us from being a good group of players,” junior Aleeah Wells said.
The age difference this year not only is different for the seniors and juniors, but it is also the same for the freshmen and sophomores. Given the fact that the upperclassmen have more experience in a varsity setting, the underclassmen can feel different given due to the fact that this is their first year on varsity. As the veteran players experience being on a younger team for the first time, the freshmen have a different opinion on it.
“I feel like there's a little bit more pressure because I’m a freshman on varsity, so it's a little bit scarier, but it's not as bad as I thought. I also look at the JV practices, and I see how much more serious varsity is,” freshman Avery Cousino said.
Both the underclassmen and upperclassmen have different opinions and experiences, but that doesn't stop them from being a team. They are able to work together whether it be on the court, or not. New friendships are being made, and not only are the coaches noticing it, but also the players.
“I'd say I've gotten a lot closer to the seniors, like Bella Radomski and Gabi Rudolph and Lilly McCalla. All since I've joined the team,” Cousino said. “Everyone has been very welcoming too. And if I am confused they are always there to help me.”
As the team bond grows stronger from player to player the connection continues. Not only the underclassmen are making friends with the upperclassmen and finding new players to look up to. The upperclassmen are able to make similar connections.
“This year has been amazing so far, I have gotten to know a bunch of the freshmen a lot better this year throughout basketball,” Wells said. “I got to know Millie a lot more. I didn't really know her before that well, and a bunch of other ones like Catherine and Elise, who are so fun to be around.”
As new friendships arise the players start to realize how important the team dynamic is and what everyone brings to the table. With the addition of the underclassman this year, the girls varsity team expresses how important this team is to them.
“One of the most beneficial parts of this year is probably just learning leadership in different ways from my new teammates,” Wells said. “This team is basically a new family for me.”
This year the team has grown stronger on a personal level, they also are improving in the gym as well. Not only is the team dynamic getting stronger, but the girls varsity basketball team is seeing the potential they have this year.
“I've just kind of noticed that with varsity sports, instead of age, it's talent. And the new freshmen are talented. They are a good addition to the team,” Wells said.
