Now that fall sports are closer to their postseason, winter sports are starting up again. Many sports provide open gyms, fields, and lifts during the preseason to stay connected as a team. Issaquah girls’ basketball team has been together year-round with summer ball, fall ball, and now open gym before the season starts with tryouts in late November. When asked about the preseason workouts, positive responses were collected, showing the thoughts the team had about the preseason they spent together.
Issaquah basketball has four workouts during the week, and they also play fall ball games on the weekend. The weekdays consist of two days in the weight room and two days in the gym, sometimes they hold a practice on the track. The girls spend a lot of time together because of this schedule and can become stronger and more connected. Ciara Smith Sletten, Junior at IHS, Sletten believes the pre-season is beneficial to the players individually and the team as a bigger aspect, “The workouts allow team bonding and spending more time together and working together before the season starts.” says Sletten.
Other players agreed with Sletten, Nyla Knipp, freshman at IHS, expresses how she enjoys the aspect of fall ball because she appreciates the time playing with her friends. She adds that, “Fall ball and open gym keeps me in shape, so I don’t get rusty.” Knipp also contributes to how bonding prior to the season is important for the team dynamic. Many of the girls have expressed excitement for the upcoming season, Taylor Chan, a sophomore, describes how the open gyms are beneficial for the team’s skillset and strength that they will contribute during the season. She adds that “Open gyms allow us to get to know each other better and have fun before the season starts.” Open gym allows the team to get to know how each other play and create a team tempo to make a more effective collaboration later in the season. The players can gain knowledge and encouragement from fall season coaches that give them different perspectives of the game.
Sletten describes her excitement for the season, knowing she is going to have fun doing something she loves this season. “I think it will be fun, because we have a lot of talent on our team, and I think we can be successful together this season.” Knipp and Chan add that the program has a new coach this season, and that having a new coaching style might be beneficial to their skillset, but the players might also be skeptical about the upcoming season because of the new addition. The preseason allows the players to find a mutual style in which will be important to the flow of the season and getting a view of other team’s styles when they compete during the fall ball tournaments.
The fall ball season is ending as the players shift into their winter basketball season, with new skills and perspectives obtained through the fall season workouts and open gyms. Preseason performances shedding light on promising newcomers and highlighting the resilience of returning veterans. Issaquah girls’ basketball tryouts are just around the corner, and the excitement is building for what promises to be a thrilling season this year. Stay connected with the Issaquah program for more insight on the upcoming games and more!