The journey to becoming an unstoppable team can involve numerous team practices and the ability to build chemistry towards one another.

That is what the girls’ basketball team aims for.

“Our goal from day one is to win a state title,” head coach Lincoln DePaula said. “I tell our girls, we don’t know when that will happen, but if we keep working on getting better individually and as a team, we will eventually reach that goal. Whether it’s this year, next year or down the road.”

Having high expectations, the team experienced a productive off season improving a variety of skills and learning new drills. Their summer schedule in June consisted of multiple morning practices and workouts.

Junior Miranda Cadwell, center, mentions the off season mentality.

“After last season ended and the summer came, we pushed ourselves to work harder,” Cadwell said.

Junior Shannon Smith, point guard, comments that they have significantly decreased their turnover count.

“One of our biggest improvements is lowering our turnover percentage and developing an aggressive team defense,” Smith said.

The Cougars believe that keeping a similar mindset to last season’s is most crucial.

“Last year we were trying to establish our identity as a program,” DePaula said. “We feel we were able to do that with tough defense and by playing with pride and intensity for four quarters.  We wanted teams to know we would be a difficult match up, regardless of our record.”

The girls are not only focused on improving their record, but they want to become leaders, successful student-athletes and prominent members of the Plainfield community.

“Our players will be participating in community projects, such as Feeding My Starving Children to help those in need,” DePaula said. “We also expect to keep their academics in check, as well as being respectful in the hallways and in the classrooms.”

With a lot of hard work and dedication going into the season, the girls are excited to embark on their home court.

“I can’t wait to learn new skills and improve the ones I have,” Cadwell said. “I’m looking forward to becoming a better player for me and my team,”
Senior MyNasia Raymond, shooting guard, says her last high school season has had a strong feeling of nostalgia.

“It’s a bitter sweet ending,” Raymond said. I’m looking forward to the season with the team and I’m looking forward to bigger opportunities in the future.”

Photo taken by: Becca Brennan