As the upcoming basketball season approaches, anticipation builds for the Deer Creek-Mackinaw High School girls' basketball team. A lot of excitement surrounds the team as they take on a new season filled with potential. Coach Joni Nightingale has been preparing the team and setting goals for the upcoming season.
In a preview interview, she shares her thoughts on the team's top returning players, new potential impact players, team captains, team chemistry, motivation, challenges, schedule, and any changes made. The team's top returning players from last season are no strangers to success on and off the court.
Leading the pack is senior captain Lexi Cottingham. Coach Nightingale praises her as a leader on and off the court, with a great shooting ability and on track to hit 1,000 points this year. Cottingham was also a 2nd team all-conference selection in the Heart of Illinois Conference (HOIC) last year. Senior Kenzi Knowles, the team's point guard, is also expected to make a great impact this season. Coach Nightingale describes her as athletic and one of the hardest workers she knows.
Similar to Cottingham, Knowles was also a 2nd team all-conference selection in the HOIC last season. Junior captain Dalia Dejesus has already made accomplishments reaching 1,000 points last year as a sophomore. She also received multiple recognitions such as a unanimous 1st team all-conference selection in the HOIC, the IBCA 2nd team all-state selection, and an honorable mention all-state nod from IL media.
These players' talent, hard work, and leadership make them special and crucial in achieving the team's goals. Nightingale looks for certain qualities in her potential team captains, and this year's choices are evidence of that. Cottingham and Dejesus are the captains, and Nightingale praises them as great communicators, hard workers, and competitors.
However, the team's limited numbers limit their choices, and they are looking for help from freshmen Anna Schmidgall and Ellie Weir. With a small but talented team, cohesion and chemistry will be essential, and these players are expected to contribute positively to the team's success. To create team chemistry and camaraderie, Nightingale believes that communication is a top priority. Open dialogue and constant communication about expectations and roles are necessary for the team's success.
 last year. Senior Kenzi Knowles, the team's point guard, is also expected to make a great impact this season. Coach Nightingale describes her as athletic and one of the hardest workers she knows.
Similar to Cottingham, Knowles was also a 2nd team all-conference selection in the HOIC last season. Junior captain Dalia Dejesus has already made accomplishments reaching 1,000 points last year as a sophomore. She also received multiple recognitions such as a unanimous 1st team all-conference selection in the HOIC, the IBCA 2nd team all-state selection, and an honorable mention all-state nod from IL media.
These players' talent, hard work, and leadership make them special and crucial in achieving the team's goals. Nightingale looks for certain qualities in her potential team captains, and this year's choices are evidence of that. Cottingham and Dejesus are the captains, and Nightingale praises them as great communicators, hard workers, and competitors.
However, the team's limited numbers limit their choices, and they are looking for help from freshmen Anna Schmidgall and Ellie Weir. With a small but talented team, cohesion and chemistry will be essential, and these players are expected to contribute positively to the team's success. To create team chemistry and camaraderie, Nightingale believes that communication is a top priority. Open dialogue and constant communication about expectations and roles are necessary for the team's success.){kind=logo}
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