With a blend of experience and youth, the Lady Panthers have started their season with a strong record of 3-1.
By MIMI BEA
Assistant sports editor
Though the season is just getting started, prospects are promising for Poly’s varsity girls basketball team. The Lady Panthers started their season off right, obliterating Ramona 64-18 in their first game of the season. The girls fought valiantly in their second game, but were unable to gain traction against Village Christian in the final seconds of a 64-62 loss. The girls did not let the loss faze them, and in the opening game of the Poly Invitational Tournament, the Lady Panthers defeated Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, 64-49. Freshman Michelle Miller scored an astounding 30 points, and junior Julia Brown added another 14 points to the scoreboard. After recently defeating Maranatha, junior Carolyn Williamson noted with jubilation: “That team has always been one we have struggled to beat in the past.” Williamson hopes that the win is merely “a precursor to a very successful season.” The girls’ teamwork and desire to succeed can be attributed in large part to the upbeat leadership of this year’s team captains, Tammy Newman and Kelly Pray. Williamson described the captains as “motivational.” She also emphasized the positive leadership of the captains: “Their positive attitudes at practice, constant encouragement, and desire to succeed really help us get pumped up, especially before games.” With this being Pray and Newman’s final year playing at Poly, both women hope that this season will be the best one yet. Pray is confident that “this year’s team is the best it has been or will be for a long time.”
Although the team is composed mostly of returning players, incoming freshmen have definitely added a substantial amount of depth to this year’s roster. Among these new players is Michelle Miller, whose outstanding talent and skill have wowed her coaches and teammates. Williamson said, “She is by far the best player in the division; she really brings a positive energy to the team with her enthusiasm and modesty. I am very excited to see her break the 40-point barrier, since she already averages around 30 points a game.” Miller has answered expectations and encore pleas from her teammates with an astounding arsenal of drives and momentum-breaking three-pointers. Pray described Miller as “a really strong addition to the team; she is a really smart player, especially with her ability to read and react to the defense.” Miller’s undeniable skill has made her a valuable asset to the team. Even though her talent has earned her praise from teammates, peers and opponents, Pray admires Miller because she is “a grounded player. Michelle always looks for the shot but also makes really smart passes to her teammates.”
With a new freshman scoring as many points as some entire teams do, and with former divisional rivals University and Laguna Hills having moved up a division, the Lady Panthers are expecting an extraordinary season. Williamson predicts that “with a close, strong team, great captains and a phenomenal freshman, we will make it to CIF finals this season.”
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