Much of the women’s basketball team’s success can be attributed to Head Coach Bill Broderick, who stepped up to lead the team after Carolyn Hunter’s resignation last year. However, the coaching shift was not the only point of transition for the team this season.
“We have a lot of young players that we’re bringing along, and as a new coach learning the new system, that’s always kind of a transition,” Broderick said.
Senior Kelly Halverson acknowledged that the cooperation between the new coach and old and new teammates has contributed more to their unity as a team.
“We’re all learning the new system together, and I think that made us a lot closer as a team,” Halverson said.
Throughout this transition in learning the new system, the team has stayed tightly knit through team building, daily get-togethers, special events including a New Year’s bonfire and their community service efforts for Kids First and Food for Thought.
“We have a lot of team lunches,” junior Nicole Mitchell said, “and it’s great so we can touch base and vent about our classes.”
“Really we’re just trying to make sure we’re on the same page,” Halverson said. “We’re all pretty good about spending time together as teammates.
As the season draws to a close, seniors are starting to reminisce fondly on their final season as student athletes.
“It’s bittersweet. I’m definitely going to miss being part of the team,” Halverson said.
Meanwhile, Coach Broderick is pushing the team forward while looking back on the team’s successful season thus far. One of Broderick’s highlights was an away game against Virginia Wesleyan on Dec. 17, where the Captains triumphed 64-61.
“We were down 10 at Virginia Wesleyan with six minutes to go,” Broderick said. “I really appreciated how the team came back to fight.”
Despite the end of their winning streak in a frustrating loss to Ferrum on Jan. 16, the women’s basketball team is moving forward with their eyes on the prize: the Conference Championship and a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The team is currently 14-1 and tied for second in the conference, so the championship title is looking closer by the minute.
“I think right now I just want for us just to get better and continue to improve as we’re getting ready for the Conference Championship,” Broderick said.
“We have high expectations for ourselves and as a team so when we fall short, of course it’s disappointing,” Halverson said. “But we can’t let that hold us back and we have to move on and move forward.”
Halverson’s words proved to be true this past weekend. On Jan. 20, the team rebounded from their Ferrum loss to come back with a win over Maryville.
