The Saint Francis High School Girls Basketball team is gearing up for an exciting season with high hopes and goals for success. Led by Coach Samantha Pompei, the team is focused on pushing themselves to their full potential and creating a positive experience for all involved. I had the opportunity to speak with Coach Pompei about her expectations for the upcoming season, the top returning players, as well as the new additions to the team.
The top returning players from last season are a force to be reckoned with. According to Coach Pompei, Maia Jimenez, the senior point guard, sets the pace for the team. She is a quick and versatile player who can both score and create opportunities for her teammates. Another standout returning player is junior trail post, Paige Spencer.
Known for her lethal three-point shooting, this year she will also showcase her capabilities in creating plays, scoring at the rim, and defending against opponents. Lastly, sophomore guard Grace Curley is also a returning player for the varsity team. Coach Pompei has high praise for her as a Division I prospect with her length and ability to finish at the rim and shoot from the perimeter.
While the returning players are expected to play crucial roles, Coach Pompei is also looking at the new players to make an immediate impact on the team. Senior point guard Maia Jimenez may be the motor of the team, but Coach Pompei also has high expectations for her sophomore point guard, Grace Curley, who has proven to be a Division I prospect this summer.
With her length and versatility, she will be a mismatch for opponents and will contribute to the team's success. When it comes to choosing the team captains, Coach Pompei looks for qualities such as leadership, responsibility, and dedication. This season, she is especially excited about her sophomore class which includes Whitney O'Brien, Sophie Holmes, Grace Curley, Estella Guido, Grier Gowdy, and Katia Grizelj.
Of these, Katia, Sophie, and Grace are returning varsity players while the others are new to the varsity team. In terms of motivating her players to push themselves to their full potential, Coach Pompei takes a unique approach. The team is divided into "families" where a frosh player is paired with a JV and a varsity player as part of the Fam Program. This creates a strong bond between the players, and they support and motivate each other throughout the season.
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