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| The SJHS Girls Basketball team playing against Mapleton Junior High | 188 KB |
On November 10, 2015, tryouts were held at SJHS for the girl’s basketball team. The basketball coaches are Coach Porter, a history teacher, and Coach Merrell, a special education teacher. The girls on the team are Mckelle Weight, Kim Bayles, Katrina Britt, Emmalee Smith, Alice Giatras, Jenica Freeman, Tanii Foster, Camille Davies, Hayley Herker, and Kailee Thurman.
Coach Porter has been coaching for two years. Coach Porter said, “I love sports, and I love teaching, so it seemed like a natural fit and more time to get to know the awesome students at our school.” According to Camille Davies, a ninth grader on the girl’s basketball team, the coaches know what they are doing and are really good basketball players. Coach Merrell can play really well with only her left hand, according to Jenica Freeman, a member of the team.
According to Kailee Thurman, a ninth grader on the girl’s basketball team, her favorite part of basketball is the adrenaline rush that she gets while she is playing. According to Jenica Freeman, she likes that everyone has different positions, but you still get to score a lot.
According to Jenica Freeman, the girls team works on passing, dribbling, and running exercises. They do drills like gauntlet, mican, and scrimmage.
Coach Porter said, “I think sports teams in general are important. When I was in school, one of the only reasons I was motivated to do well in school or be there was so that I could play on the sports team. Now that I am a teacher and I love learning and school, I am grateful for sports that kept me disciplined and motivated. I think a lot of people feel that same way.”
On November 9, tryouts for the boy’s basketball team were held. The basketball team is coached by Coach Howard and Coach Runyan. The boys on the team are Alex Ashton, Riley Dustin, Josh Ireland, Nick Cloward, Camen Rollins, Kolby Carter, Daren Mumford, Matt Stoker, Brodie Taylor, Devin Cutler, and Ayden Christensen. Coach Runyan said, “I love the game of basketball. I want to be part of developing their skills.”
Coach Runyan and Coach Howard are both new coaches this year. Coach Howard said, “[Basketball is] good for the future. It builds character and helps in middle school and beyond.” According to Coach Runyan, the boy’s team has been working on drills that include running and aggressiveness, without causing fouls. He likes their hustle and aggression.