The Carson City-Crystal girls basketball team is gearing up for a significant season as they prepare to restart their program after a year without varsity competition. Last season was canceled due to a lack of player participation, but this year, the team is eager to return to the court under new head coach Deo Winsor.
With a roster composed entirely of underclassmen, including six freshmen, the Eagles are facing a unique challenge. Winsor, who has extensive coaching experience, emphasizes the importance of building a solid foundation this season. “They enjoy playing basketball,” he noted during practice. “The not-so-good thing is they don’t have a lot of experience. We’re going to take some lumps, but they all have good attitudes and they all work hard.”
New Leadership and High Hopes
The team’s lone senior, Cailyn Zemla, expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming season, stating, “We just want to try and improve the program a lot this year.” Winsor’s coaching experience spans over two decades, including ten years coaching junior high basketball and recent stints with younger teams. His motivation to take on the varsity role was partly inspired by watching his granddaughter play last season, which reinforced his belief in the need for stability within the program.
Zemla is looking to lead her teammates by fostering an environment of trust and communication. “I want to be someone they’re not scared of,” she said. “If at any point they need help, I can help them.” Winsor praised her leadership qualities, acknowledging that while she may not be the most vocal, she leads by example.
Challenges Ahead for the Eagles
As the Eagles prepare for the season, they are aware of the challenges that lie ahead, particularly the lack of experience. Winsor highlighted that many of his players might be surprised by the intensity of competition, especially against older opponents. “Understanding the reality of what we’re up against is going to be challenging,” Zemla echoed, noting that many players have not faced juniors and seniors due to last year’s cancellation.
Despite the hurdles, the Eagles have some continuity with four returning players from last year’s junior varsity team. Winsor believes that having these experienced players will benefit the team significantly. “They’re the leaders of this group, and they’ve been bringing these girls along,” he remarked.
With the season underway, Winsor’s primary goal is to see improvement rather than focusing solely on wins and losses. “I expect to see improvement throughout the season,” he stated. The team has been diligently tracking their progress in key areas like free throw shooting, and Winsor is optimistic about their ability to develop as a cohesive unit.
As the Eagles embark on this new chapter, their commitment to hard work and team spirit will be essential. “I think we’re all really nervous, which is to be expected,” Zemla acknowledged. “I also think they’re all really excited and want to actually try and do some good things for us this year.”
In summary, the Carson City-Crystal girls basketball team is not just looking to compete; they aim to build a resilient program that fosters growth and teamwork. With their new coach and a fresh approach, the Eagles are poised to take on the challenges of the season head-on.
