The Carson City-Crystal girls basketball team is poised to make a significant comeback this season after a year-long hiatus. The program was suspended last year due to insufficient player numbers, but excitement fills the gym as the team prepares to restart under new head coach Deo Winsor. With an entirely underclassman roster, the Eagles are eager to take the court and revive their competitive spirit.
New Beginnings for the Eagles
During a recent practice, freshman Crystal Coon showcased her skills while navigating an offensive drill. Despite the challenges ahead, the team’s renewed enthusiasm is palpable. “They enjoy playing basketball,” Winsor noted, acknowledging the positive attitudes of his players. “The not-so-good thing is they don’t have a lot of experience. With six freshmen, we’re going to take some lumps, but they all have good attitudes and they all work hard.”
Senior Cailyn Zemla echoed the sentiment, expressing her excitement for the upcoming season. “I think we’re all just really excited to play,” she said. “We just want to try and improve the program a lot this year.” With only one senior on the team, Zemla is poised to take on a leadership role, guiding her younger teammates through the challenges of competing at the varsity level.
A Season of Learning and Growth
Winsor brings a wealth of experience to the program, having spent ten years coaching junior high basketball and recently leading the seventh-grade girls team. His decision to take on the varsity role came after a rewarding experience coaching younger players. “I had so much fun with the third and fourth graders that it really got the coaching juices flowing again,” he said. “I just thought we can’t have this. We have to have some stability for these girls.”
The Eagles will enter the season with four returning players from last year’s junior varsity team. Winsor believes that this core group will provide the necessary guidance for the newcomers. “There’s definitely going to be some benefits to that,” he explained. “They’re the leaders of this group and they’ve been bringing these girls along. I think that has helped a lot.”
Despite the challenges posed by a lack of experience, the team is focusing on developing their skills. Winsor is implementing intense drills to prepare the team for the rigors of competition. “There’s no doubt about it,” he stated. “They don’t realize what’s going to come out. They’re going to be a little surprised, for sure.”
Zemla acknowledged the challenges ahead, particularly the difference in skill levels compared to older teams. “There’s going to be a lot more juniors and seniors that we’re going against,” she said. “That’s OK, obviously, but I think getting used to playing people my age compared to theirs is going to be a challenge.”
As the season progresses, Winsor emphasizes the importance of fostering a positive team atmosphere. “I want us to play with a good team atmosphere,” he said. “I came from a really good program, and we all got along. There were no egos on the team, and it showed in the way we played.”
With the competition schedule underway, the Eagles are ready to embrace their journey. While Winsor remains realistic about the challenges, he holds high expectations for improvement. “I expect to see improvement throughout the season,” he said. “That’s all. We’ve been tracking our free throws and we’re getting better every week. I know we’re improving as a team and we’re resetting a program.”
As the Eagles gear up for their first games, both Winsor and Zemla are optimistic about the potential for growth and success. “I think that we’re all really nervous, which is to be expected,” Zemla admitted. “I also think they’re all really excited and want to actually try and do some good things for us this year.”
No matter the outcome of the season, the Carson City-Crystal girls basketball team is committed to building a strong foundation for the future, one practice at a time.
