Slam dunking into the basketball season, the BBHHS Lady Bees Basketball Team are geared up and ready for a successful and fun-filled season. With grit, perseverance, and determination, the girls varsity basketball team hopes to score a season full of wins.
Starting off strong, the Bees defeated Canton South with an outstanding final score of 56-29 at the hive on Monday, Dec 1. Following the first of many hopeful wins, the Bees faced off against Nordonia and took away another win with a final score of 62-39.
Leading the team are three seniors who have played all throughout high school; Lexi Ganley, Maya Woods and Anna Zumwalt. The team is led by coaches Joe Zenir, Steven Borgis, Kayla Sokolowski and Bob Podgas. Coach Zenir has been coaching girls basketball for many years and recently received his 200th victory for the team.
Coach Zenir has not only proven his dedication to the high school team, but has also been working towards preparing the future generations of basketball stars. Zenir explains,“High school coaching is a passion of mine because I think it is a key in kids becoming adults. This time of their lives will never be replicated and I aim to help them get the most out of it.”
Many consider the team lucky to have a coach who genuinely cares about his players. He not only wants them to improve in the sport, but learn from it and take those lessons throughout their lives.
The team has many coaches, but to the girls, one sticks out. Kayla Sokolowski is the head JV girls coach, but she also helps out with coaching varsity girls, and has built a strong connection with the lady Bees. Having a coach that the team can talk to is nice for us, Ganley says.
The ladies have a good connection with each other both on and off the court. The lady Bees hang out with each other having team dinners before games. Senior Lexi Ganley says, “Hanging outside of school definitely helps build team chemistry and we can have fun at practice with each other.” This chemistry helps the players have a good connection on the court, being able to reassure each other when they are down and understand how one another plays. If they have an off day they know how to respond to each other and not push it.
The girls have trained hard over in their freetime, participating in a summer league season. The team played in various games, working hard with new plays to be prepared for the season ahead. The team watches films to get ready for games to see the competition ahead and know how they can defeat them. The girls on the team have demonstrated extreme dedication to the sport. Nearly all of them have been playing since they were little and have had years of experience to improve their skill.
The Lady Bees hope to make it far in the season this year after last year making it to the regional semifinal game for the first time in over a decade. Senior Maya Woods says, “We had a good season last year, but I hope this year we can make it to the final four.” With the success they’ve had so far, the team are looking ahead for a long, victorious season, if everyone stays healthy.
With every sport there is an inevitable risk of getting hurt. Basketball is no different, especially when athletes are playing aggressively. Even with just a sprain or rolled ankle the chances of being out for a game or even a few are likely and a single player out can be a huge disadvantage to the team. Woods has dealt with many injuries in the sport, including last season when she tore a ligament in her hand. Woods played through the injury and followed the season with a surgery to make sure she would be healthier and better than ever this season.
Ultimately, the true measure of this team extends far beyond the final score. They will demonstrate the power of resilience, the beauty of selfless play, and the unbreakable bond of sisterhood. They have a long road ahead, with long training days, tough teams and deserved victories. So show up, be loud and cheer on the Lady Bees Basketball Team.
