Westlake Charter’s 2023-2024 girls basketball team meeting up for discussion (via Emma Fifita)

November 10, 2023                                                                                                                                                                Emma Fifita | Staff Writer

As Westlake Charter High School breaks into the new winter season, girls basketball is getting ready for their first season game against Sacramento Waldorf Girls at their opposing team’s court. Girls basketball is taking extreme measures with practices, conditioning, and team preparations to secure this season's win. 

Westlake Charter High School’s girls basketball team this season has been known to be engaging, interactive, and extremely competitive as girls train hard to have a successful season. The girls basketball team is set to be in the Division 5 bracket and will be playing other competitive high schools such as Foresthill Wildfires, Vacaville Christian Falcons, and many more. 

This year's team has two excellent coaches who are willing to contribute their time to help extend the knowledge of the game to the players and help them excel as a team and individuals. “I hope to achieve not only personal growth for the team but a collective unit that looks out for one another beyond the basketball court. I want the team to carry the things they learn on the court and implement it into everyday life so they can exceed any expectations put on them. I want them to know that they can accomplish whatever they want as long as they’re putting 100% into it,” said Coach Danielle Robbins, assistant coach of the girls basketball team. The coaches come together to help build the girls up to create unity and create a sense of togetherness as a team. 

The girls basketball team this year has doubled up in numbers which is resulting in more diversity and an increase in knowledge of basketball. “Our team has grown significantly from last year. We have 15 players this year compared to the nine last year which is exciting; eight of which are returning and one from the previous year. We have a very talented group of individuals who work very well together and I can't wait to see what they bring to the court. I am looking forward to a fun season of growth, team bonding and lots of wins,” said Coach Tonia White, head coach of the girls basketball team. 
 

The girls team is not only focused on securing a win, but also having a family that they can depend on whether it be on the court or off the court. “As the season gets closer, I feel it is going to be an amazing season for us not only as a team, but for everyone individually. But mostly, I am looking forward to expanding my team and my knowledge on the court and getting better at playing. Building a family with my team is a major deal for me. It helps build friendships and a close sisterhood,” said Nevaeha Woods, sophomore on the girls basketball team. 

Basketball in general is a sport that requires teamwork, commitment, and unison, which this year's girls basketball team is excelling in. From their first practice to now, they have shown a lot of improvement not only as individuals, but as a team who have the sense of teamwork put into them. Mental and physical preparations are what help a team compete well, and the girls basketball team has been getting in a fit mindset to work together as a team. “Building a relationship with my team has been so important to me. Team bonding has helped us become closer throughout the past seasons. I am overall looking forward to becoming more knowledgeable on the court and building more of a communication with the team. Communication is key in basketball and is the most important skill to develop,” said Lena Tahod, starting point guard on the girls basketball team. 

This year, the WCHS girls basketball team is not only putting in the work on the court, but is also engaging themselves more into the knowledge of basketball. They are building a stronger bond of sisterhood on and off the court which not only creates harmony but also a union. For more stories, follow The Expedition website.