Mira Costa High School's girls' basketball team is setting itself up for a promising season, as Coach Jeff Herdman prepares the team for competition ahead. The team's goals for the season are to enjoy the journey and strive to win the Bay League and CIF. To reach its objectives, Coach Herdman's team will look to familiar faces as well as rely on newcomers to make an immediate impact.

Returning playersJuju Obrien, Hayden Lin, Kenia Bohman and Kristyn Kim are all key assets to Coach Herdman and will prove pivotal in the team's success. Obrien is Daily Breeze All Area and a First Team all Bay League, making her capable of playing all five positions on the court. She has also been named MVP of the Palisades Westside tournament, as well as the Daily Breeze Player of the Week. Lin is a returning All Bay League guard and one of the top point guards in the South Bay. Bohman is a returning starter, and Kim is a three-year varsity player with numerous big games.

Joining the top returners are new players Ava Schauwecker and Kylee Yeh. Schauwecker was brought up from JV as a six-foot-one center, and she is already averaging 10 rebounds a game. Yeh is playing well beyond her years, averaging over five assists and five steals a game and appearing on the All-Tournament team at the Palisades Westside tournament.

Team captains for this season will be decided by the players, and Coach Herdman looks for participants to demonstrate vocal leadership, hard work, and setting the example for others to follow. The team has put together routine events throughout the year, such as team meals, beach outings, and trips to Knotts Scary Farm in an effort to build team chemistry and maintain camaraderie. Keeping players motivated is a challenge Coach Herdman understands well, and the mental aspect of the game is seen as one of the team's most important focuses. The team's sports mental coach has offered guidance to the players and staff over the last two months, and they are all looking to make the most of it.

Preparing the Mira Costa High School girls' basketball team for this season has been far from easy. With some players taking part in multiple sports, the coaching staff has had to juggle the scheduling for them while also staying financially conscious. This season the team will face well-seasoned opponents, including Mater Dei, Buchanan, Oak Park, Harvard Westlake and Redondo, twice in league.

For gameplay this season, Mira Costa looks to run, shoot threes, and play tough defense, as Coach Herdman directs with his coaching philosophy. Strategies and plays will be modified to fit the season, including any new ones that are implemented. Communication on the court will also remain important for the team’s success, as Mira Costa places importance in maintaining a loud and vocal presence.

Finally, academics and sports balance for Coach Herdman's players is taken seriously and always aims to consistently maintain a 4.0 GPA for the team. The team hopes that their drive and undying support from the Mira Costa community will guide them to victory this season. With determined players, a determined coach, an outstanding support system, and an outlook of novel strategies, the Mira Costa girls' basketball team is ready to start an exciting season.