Young team focuses on getting better

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“Pirates on three…1…2…3…Pirates!” Corrina Noble ‘21, Maggie Furlong ‘22, Gracie Wubben ‘20, Sami Wasmund ‘20, Alexa Haase ‘20, and Anna Walburg ‘19 get go over their game plan before getting ready to run out for warm ups. The Pirates prepare like this before every game. “Having our team talks before each game get me really pumped to play,” said point guard, Maggie Furlong.

The Lady Pirates lost many talented seniors from last year including Syd Schuler, Anna Hulscher, Lisi Ludwig, and Hannah Wubben, which made for a lot of open positions on the basketball team this season. There is one senior, Anna Walburg, but other than that, this year’s team is very young. They have a lot of learning and improving to do to be able to compete with the other varsity teams they will face.

“Although we are a young team, we are all very talented,” said Corrina Noble ‘21. “I think we can be very successful as long as we work hard.”

The varsity girls basketball team had a quick start to their season after the long volleyball season, with many of the players being part of the volleyball team. When they kicked off the season on November 15th at the Warren Turkey Tournament, they had only had three practices as a full team. This didn’t slow them down, though. They played four games at the tournament and only lost to East Dubuque, which was a close, and a tough fought game.

“I think for only having a few practices, we did pretty well,” said Lizzy Eaton ‘20. “I feel like when we play East Dubuque again, there might be a different outcome.”

The team had a tough schedule to start the season, but were very impressive against talented teams. They played the former state-runner up, Stockton, on November 28th and only lost by two points. Although this was a close loss, the Pirates weren’t satisfied and are using the loss as motivation to keep working hard to get better for the next time they play them.

The Pirates also played in a tournament in Pearl City on December 8th through 13th. They played three games and only lost one to the Dakota Indians. Two of the Pirate’s players were named to the all tournament teams. Mackenzie Muehleip ‘20 was named second team, and Sami Wasmund ‘20 was named first team.

With their winning record, the Pirates are focussed on having a successful post season. They continue to work hard in practice so they can play their best game at the most important time of the season.

“I am very excited for postseason,” said Gracie Wubben ‘20. “It’s exciting to get to host the regional and I think we will do very well!” The Pirates are hosting IHSA Regional competition this year, but the seedings are not out yet. Regionals week starts on Monday, February 4th.