by Angel Denaway
Boys’ Basketball
What’s it like to be a true baller? Being “baller” isn’t just on the court; it’s a lifestyle!
Boys’ basketball coach Kristopher Davis said, “I expect them to represent themselves and the school with respect and integrity.”
This season has had its ups and downs, but Davis believes his team is growing.
Davis said, “This season is going well though our record might not show it, but we’re competing in almost every game. Our wins will start coming we’ve just got to keep competing.”
The players show what dedication and teamwork really mean. Senior player Nick Ryan shared a challenge he felt that he and his team have overcome together.
Ryan said, “I think we all overcame this thing where we didn’t like each other in the past.”
Basketball is a true skill where players have to trust their teammates and get closer with them, and remember dedication is key. Changing things up can get crazy, but it seems no problem for NP’s team.
Junior Evan Foerg said, “We had a new coach this year. A lot of us weren’t used to that, but we were able to believe in him and then keep moving forward.” Adapting was no problem. Sophomore player Rylan McBride added that players are expected to learn something new each day.
McBride said, “We switch it up a lot. We have new drills every day, and it’s normally pretty intense, pretty rough, but it’s fun.”
Girls’ Basketball
Spicy and coming in with a fiery kick is NP’s girls’ basketball season. Coach Todd Dermody explained some of the challenges they have faced and overcome this year.
“The team has definitely overcome some challenges,” Dermody stated, adding, “They have a perception around here that our girls’ basketball team is down in the dumps, but I think our girls have overcome that. They’ve won some games. They really come together and show that girls at New Prairie play good basketball, as well.”
Dermody is a role model for the young women he coaches, encouraging them and inspiring them to always do their best and have fun. Dermody explained what players must remember before stepping on the court.
“You always remember it’s all about the girls having fun out there, despite everything else going on winning or losing, the girls need to be having a good time,” he said, “They need to be doing something that they enjoy, not something that’s a detriment to them. It needs to be something that’s enhancing their life,” stressed Dermody.
Senior player Kailin Strauch shared what she’s learned while being part of this team which is, “To always step up and be a leader.” Strauch added that this season has been much better than last.
Senior Abby Siford supported her team in one of their biggest challenges yet. Siford stated, “We’re definitely improving a lot more than we have in past years. If we win one of our next three games we’ll have more wins than I’ve ever had in my high school career.”
Sophomore Allison Pavlick said, “Yeah, since Dermody is new this year, I feel like even on the bus ride home he plays pranks on us all the time and it makes us all closer.”
Dermody uses humor to build team unity so players will have fun and feel closer.
Sophomore player Jordan Winters said she has learned this from her experience in girls basketball this year : “Realize that you always have each other’s backs on and off the court, really.”