This year’s basketball season has started off strong, with new 6th grade athletes competing this year, the Westminster girls basketball program has grown immensely.
Westminster now offers three basketball teams, the 6th grade girls team, the White team, composed of 7th graders, and the Green team, with all 8th graders. 70 girls tried out for this year’s basketball teams. The process consists of three days of tryouts all the athletes trying out perform the same drills and exercises. Tryouts are for the coaches to take into account how each player would compliment the team best. After tryouts the 6th grade team has 16 players, the White team has 15, and the Green team has 12.
This is the first year that 6th graders are allowed to compete. 6th grade player Mary Claire Patterson is excited for the new addition because she gets to bond with other players on her team. “I think it was a great add-on because before this year, 6th graders didn’t get to do many sports . . . I really enjoy [getting to] play in games . . . [and] getting to bond as a team,” she says.
Lower School math teacher and basketball coach Clarrissa Bradham thinks the addition of the 6th grade team will benefit the program, as well. “I’m so excited for them to be a part of a true Westminster team, and be able to build this program from 6th grade to 7th grade to 8th grade to high school.”
The three teams are led by three experienced coaches.
Lower School P.E. teacher Liz Oduro has been coaching basketball for 20 years and currently coaches the girls white basketball team. Prior to coaching at Westminster, she coached collegiately at Northern Virginia Community College. Growing up in Ghana, she was introduced to softball before finding a love for basketball in 6th grade. She describes middle school as a unique time for students. “I feel like middle school is a very special time for students in their lives . . . I feel like they need someone who can understand them [and] motivate them, and I want to be that for them.”
High School English teacher Jesse Breite has been coaching for over 20 years. He enjoys coaching because it allows him to see students in another element outside of the classroom. “I love seeing students in another capacity. Especially . . . younger students that I’m . . . going to see later as English students.” he says “I really enjoy seeing them as players and engaging [with] them.”
Bradham has been in love with basketball ever since she can remember. “I love basketball . . . I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have a basketball.”
She played basketball in a youth league all the way through college and coached her children.
Two 8th grade players in particular stand out as program leaders. Breite spotlights 8th grader player Emily Deriso on her high level of effort. “Emily Deriso is a very talented basketball player, and she shows a lot of energy and effort.” Likewise, he praises 8th grader player Emmaline Tate for her distinctive skills. “Emmeline Tate is unique in her skill set . . . That’s a player I’m really curious to see how her role changes over the course of the season.”
All of the coaches see the Middle School girls basketball team having an overwhelmingly successful and positive season. Breite is excited about their growth. “I always enjoy seeing how players adapt to coaching, [and] seeing them learn things,” he says. Oduro loves watching the girls connect as the season continues. “I’m excited about creating cohesiveness on our team. I’m [also] excited [to see] the girls improve every day.”