Front row L to R: Haley Beck, Grace Splinter, Mia Hiebner, Hallie Tessman; 2nd row: Trinity Moooney, Paisley Joseph, Kynleigh Joeph, Katelyn Farrall, Julia Tessman; Back row: Madalyn Janzen, Sydney Rempel, Tara Buzek, Sophie Minary, Ashlyn Friesen (not pictured Jillian Farris, Khloe Luebbe, Brinley Mierau, Sophia Schulze, Laura Splinter)
The H&H Bearcats have officially entered basketball season, with practice beginning on Monday, November 17. Coach Paige Peters will start her second year as the head coach, but first as the head coach for the Bearcats!
“We have 19 girls out this year, but we have a few sidelined with injuries. We hope to get them back at some point in the season. Ten letter winners are returning with a lot of experience, and there are six seniors on the team,” said Coach Peters.
The team alternates weekly, practicing at either Hampton or Heartland. “It’s great always to be able to have a large gym to practice in, and the girls don’t have any problem with switching back and forth for practice or games,” said Coach Peters.
One of Coach Peter’s main goals this year is to build chemistry with the newly combined team. “They have been used to playing from different schools, so getting to know each other is going to be a big focus for us.”
Their team motto this season is “All In.” Coach Peters emphasized the need for the girls to buy into everything as a whole team and to realize there will be a learning curve as they navigate blending the Hampton and Heartland players.
The Heartland team went 7-14 last year with 13 girls out, and Hampton went 4-19 with eight girls out. Coach Peters is excited about how many girls are out and plans to have a full reserve schedule. “This is what everyone wanted to happen with the sports cooperative. We can now give the girls more opportunities to gain confidence and playing experience.”
Coach Peters will be assisted by Sammy Spirk, who is a Hampton 5th-grade teacher, and Christine Quiring from Henderson, who was also the junior high volleyball assistant.
The team participated in a few summer ball camps, playing Bancroft-Rosalee in Hampton and some competitive teams in York in June. “It’s good just to get a ball back in their hands this week and get into basketball shape. We plan to play at a high tempo this year and look forward to our first home matchup against Fairbury.”
The Bearcats will host the Fairbury Jets on Thursday, December 4, at the Heartland gym.
The Bearcats are practicing at the Heartland gym for their first full week to kickstart the season!
