Lady Riders read for district play
Photos and story by Nick Norris |
Night in and night out, these girls are on the court for each other, win or lose. From the starting point guard to the girls on the bench, they love to see each other strive toward great things.
Now 4-11 this season, they prepare to start their district play Friday against Lee.
“I believe in my girls,” starting point guard, senior Amber Medellin said. “It will no doubt be tough, but we got this.”
She said she is bummed about it being her senior year, and her last chance to fight with these girls in district before college.
Amber Medellin goes for the transition basket. Photo by Nick Norris.
Medellin says she feel great about the bond between herself and the team, along with starting freshman center Kiana Gasque, who stands at a whopping 6’0″. Gasque averages 9.1 points per game, and in their latest game against Smithson Valley (44-27), the freshman scored eight of the 27 points that night.
From the start of the game, the win was right in front of the girls however, it wasn’t enough in the end; but that didn’t stop the girls from continuing to battle in the paint even in the last 2 minutes of the game, with time dwindling.
Gasque said her teammates not only made her feel welcomed, but also pushed her to be better on the court and in the classroom. Gasque has racked in 100 points in total over the course of the season so far. And right behind her is Medellin, with 85 points over the half of the season.
Kiana Gasque deflects a shot by Smithson Valley. Photo by Nick Norris.
“I always do my best to apply myself both on court, and in the classroom,” Gasque said.
As a unit these girls are always picking each other up, either in practice to be on time, or to help each other after diving for loose balls and converting an and-1. The chemistry is visible from the sidelines, from unspoken pick and rolls; to running Duke (a play designed by the head coach). The best teams are not the ones who win all the time, it is the ones that are able to bounce back and do great things.
Medellin and Gasque on court after forcing a turnover. Photo by Nick Norris.
It has been said that Roosevelt is the underdog of the district, but who doesn’t like a good underdog story? The student body of Roosevelt will no doubt be rooting these girls on as they dive into district, and do their best.