After open gym training, the girls’ varsity basketball team looks to reload for its upcoming season and make a statement in MCAL.

According to coach Diane Peterson, the team participated in summer tournaments but has been training mainly through “open gyms,” consisting of pick up games, led by senior Carli Jacks.

Last year, the team made it to the MCAL semi-finals before losing to Justin-Siena.

Aside from a group of returning seniors, coach Diane Peterson is unsure what the lineup will look like.

“The core group of returners is a really strong group, so it’s going to be tough to figure out who we pull up,” Peterson said. “Everyone is hungry and fighting for a position since we started open gyms over the summer.”

According to coach Diane Peterson, the preseason practices will give the girls an advantage this season.

“The girls have been in the gym for the past couple of months consistently, so the team comradery has been really strong this season at open gym and it’s a camaraderie that usually takes time to build,” Peterson said. “The fact that these girls are already laying that foundation down prior to tryouts is something that’s really going to be beneficial throughout the year.”

Junior Nicki Yang said the team must work on playing at a faster pace this season.

“I think we are going to have to start playing at a faster pace, not just coming down with more offense all the time, but running the floor and using are speed as an advantage against slower teams,” Yang said

Peterson believes the lack of fall league tournaments won’t affect the team this season.

Both Jacks and Yang hope to take on leadership roles this season.

“Being a senior, I want to be more of a leader than I was last year. Since our captains [have graduated], I would like to step up,” Jacks said.

According to Peterson, the leadership of returning seniors has made a positive impact on the open gym practices.

“[The seniors] have taken on leadership qualities and taken ownership, leading by example in a positive way and showing how to integrate all grade levels into open gyms,” Peterson said.

The team’s first game will be at home against Analy High School on Nov. 21.