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Girls Basketball
US National High School Preview Series
Mon, November 11, 2024 at 10:11 AM . California
As the Liberty High School basketball team gears up for their upcoming season, Coach Fred Yepez is optimistic about the potential of his young team. With a focus on winning a league title, the team will need new players to step up and fill the shoes of last year's graduated seniors. Coach Yepez took some time to share his thoughts on the team's strengths, challenges, and goals for the season ahead. One of the biggest strengths of the team this season will be the returning players. Among them, senior Kelli Harris-Wellman stands out as a three-year starter and team captain. Coach Yepez praises her experience and leadership on and off the court. Another returning player, Erin Payne, also made a significant impact last year and is expected to do the same this season. These two seniors will bring valuable knowledge and skills to the team. Aside from the returning players, there are also some new additions who are expected to make an immediate impact. Players like Malaya Baker, Kahili Paulino, and Alessandra Chavarria have impressed Coach Yepez with their hard work and dedication during the off-season. These players have the potential to earn important minutes on the court and contribute to the team's success. When it comes to leadership, Coach Yepez looks for qualities such as hard work, dedication, and a positive attitude in potential team captains. With a young team, the coaching staff is still deciding whether to have team captains like last year or to rotate the role among all players. However, players like Malaya Baker and Kahili Paulino have shown great potential as potential leaders on the team. Team chemistry and camaraderie are important factors in the success of any team. This season, Coach Yepez plans on promoting team bonding by organizing events outside of the gym. From movie nights to team breakfasts, these activities will help the players get to know each other better and develop a strong bond. On the court, the team's chemistry may take some time to develop with so many young players, but the coaching staff is confident that it will come with time and practice. As with any team, there are always challenges to overcome. For the Liberty High basketball team, one of the biggest challenges this season has been the lack of participation in off-season workouts and summer league games by some returning players. With a young team, it would have been beneficial for the players to gain experience during the summer, but due to various reasons, it was not possible.