Norte Vista High School Girls Basketball Season Preview

With another season of high school basketball on the horizon, the Norte Vista High School Braves are gearing up for success. After making it to the playoffs for the first time in 24 years last season, the team is determined to continue its upward trajectory. We sat down with Coach Lucciano Mendiola to get an inside look at this year’s team and their outlook for the season. The top returning players for the Braves this season are Kasaya McQuirter and Destiny Moralez. According to Coach Mendiola, both McQuirter and Moralez bring speed and leadership to the team, making them valuable assets on the court. Another standout player this season is Alina Gutierrez, who played on both the JV and Varsity teams last year. With her ball-handling skills and sharp shooting abilities, Gutierrez is expected to have a big impact on the team’s success. When it comes to choosing team captains, Coach Mendiola looks for players with a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and the ability to lead by example. He wants his captains to push their teammates while remaining positive and vocal on the court. Currently, the role of captain is up in the air, but Coach Mendiola plans on having returning starters fill those shoes. Team chemistry and camaraderie are crucial components for any successful team, and Coach Mendiola recognizes the importance of these aspects. In order to develop a strong bond among the players, he focuses on fostering a positive attitude and work ethic. He wants his team to be the hardest-working, toughest, most vocal, most unselfish, and most conditioned team in the league. By setting these standards, Coach Mendiola hopes to create a strong foundation for the team’s success. Motivation is key in pushing players to reach their full potential and, for Coach Mendiola, this means focusing on the non-tangible elements that require no natural talent. Instead, the team’s goals focus on things like being the hardest-working team in the league and having the best team chemistry. By focusing on these aspects, Coach Mendiola believes that the rest will follow. Preparing for the season has not been without its challenges for the Braves. With many players participating in multiple sports, it can be difficult to schedule off-season training. However, Coach Mendiola is optimistic and believes that this multi-sport participation can benefit the team in the long run.