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Girls Basketball
US National High School Preview Series
Tue, December 3, 2024 at 08:12 AM . Oregon
Basketball season is just around the corner and fans of the Tualatin High School team are eager to see what the upcoming season has in store for them. To get a sneak peek into what we can expect from the team this year, we spoke to Coach Wes Pappas. Known for his passion and dedication to the sport, Coach Pappas has been leading the Tualatin High School basketball team for several years now and has seen the team evolve and improve each year. One of the main concerns for fans is which players will be returning this season and what makes them special. According to Coach Pappas, the team will have only one senior this year, making it a fairly young team. However, this does not hinder their determination to win. The top returning players from last year include senior post-Jordyn Smith, junior guard Alex Padilla, junior Maaya Lucas, and junior guard Ries Miadich. These players have proven themselves to be critical to the team's success, with Jordyn being a tough post and Alex being one of the best defenders in the state. Coach Pappas also highlights the team's goal for this year, which is to win another league title. Tualatin High School has won the last two titles, and the team is determined to continue their winning streak. In addition, they aim to reach the Chiles Center, the location of the final eight, and ultimately win the state title. However, with many other top teams having five seniors on their team, Tualatin's key to success will be coming together as a team and maturing quickly. While the returning players are crucial to the team's success, the addition of new players can also have a significant impact. Coach Pappas is excited about the potential of their three amazing freshmen – Love Lei Best, Kendall Dawkins, and Bella Amens. These players have already received attention and offers from D-1 schools and are expected to make an immediate impact on the team. When it comes to leadership, Coach Pappas believes in having the players vote for captains. This year's captains are Jordyn, Ries, and Maaya – a well-rounded group with different qualities to bring to the team. Team chemistry and camaraderie are also essential for success, and the team has already gone on a trip to the beach for a weekend and plans to have team dinners to build that bond.