Two or three times a week, senior Eva Rogers heads to the school gym to work on her basketball skills. The girls’ team has begun conditioning practices and will continue throughout the month of October for anyone who wants to show up.  

“We have been working on endurance, dribbling, layups, plays and other basics before the season so we can have a good start,” Rogers said. “We are continuing to build up teamwork, especially as we have new players.”

The practices give a glimpse into possible basketball lineups for the upcoming season because many of last year’s varsity players have graduated, leaving room for some of the junior varsity players to be promoted. Many new players are also being introduced into the varsity and junior varsity teams. 

“I’m looking forward to playing with new people since we only have four returning varsity players,” junior Abby Hedrick said. “I think we just need to work on playing together and learning each other’s game.”

The practices are held before the tryouts for the varsity and junior varsity teams, which are scheduled for Oct. 25 and Oct. 26. 

“We have conditioning so we know our teammates for the upcoming season,” said senior Tiara Quach, who has been playing basketball for West Shore since middle school. “Coach Derrick [Hamilton] believes that this upcoming varsity team has a lot of potential to go regional and maybe win districts.”

The next practice is scheduled for Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. 

By Terianne Quach