After a losing record last year, the Lady Titans are back and hungry for a turnaround. They have been working hard in preparation for a packed opening stretch, with the first four games within six days: November 20th, 22nd, 24th, and 25th. The only home game is on the 22nd at 10 am.
This will be Coach Webster’s 3rd year leading the Lady Titans, alongside Coach Stauter and Coach Frederick. Coach Webster stated, “We have seen a lot of advances in terms of culture, identity, and program-wide cohesiveness.” Her vision is for the program to be a healthy and strong contender in the HOIC conference while also “getting some numbers up in those Regional and Sectional banners in the Titan Center!” When asked what motivates her to coach, she shared, “Being able to be a small part of their lives and to watch them work hard, overcome challenges, laugh, cry, share life, and blossom into the beautiful, amazing young women that they are is so very rewarding and an incredible privilege!”
Looking ahead at this year’s roster, Coach Webster said, “The coaches and I are excited about our team this year! We have a strong, talented returning Senior class: Myli, Sophie, and Kathleen. Our Juniors and Sophomores are also talented and will add depth, experience, and leadership to both the JV and Varsity teams.” She noted that the freshman class is an exciting group that brings skill and knowledge to the game. Her core values for the team are “hard work, encouragement, teamwork, and character.” At the start of their practices every day, they will circle up and discuss which character trait they want to focus on that week. Then, at the end, they will circle up and have “Fountain Time,” which is where the girls shout each other out for what they saw during practice. As Coach Webster puts it, “Basketball is a tough sport, and our Lady Titans work hard every day to give their very best to their teammates, their coaches, and the game.” For her, success isn’t defined by stats: “Success for us is giving our very best day in and day out and coming off the court after both practices and games knowing we gave everything that we had for one another, our community, and for ourselves. Success is also enjoying the whole experience together, coming out the other end of the season better people and more skilled athletes than when we started.”
This is freshman Ellie Webster’s first year on the high school basketball team. When asked about the difference between high school and middle school basketball, she highlighted the shift in team dynamic: “Basketball in middle school was fun, but I think that high school is SO much better! Middle school was good, and the whole team was friendly, but in high school, I just feel like everyone on the team is kind of like a built-in friend.” Ellie admitted she was nervous at first but quickly felt welcomed. She doesn’t have major season goals yet, but she does have a few personal ones: “My first goal is to just work as hard as possible on the court and off the court. Another goal would be to stay positive for the whole season. My last goal is to have fun.”
For Senior Myli Ehrhardt, this season is bittersweet. “One pro is I know this won’t be the end of my career, as I plan to go on to college and continue playing. However, one con is that I have to leave behind my teammates and coaches who have been supporting me since I was a freshman.” Myli is also approaching a major career milestone-1,000 points. She’s excited for it but admits to being stressed with it being so close. “I think it is a huge honor to be able to have reached this point in my career, and it is exciting, but it’s also a little stressful being only 35 points away.” This year, she hopes to help the team finish with a winning record. “I would also like to live each moment to the fullest and never take for granted that I am able to play with such an amazing team each day,” She added.
As the season begins, the Lady Titans are stepping onto the court with stronger bonds and determination to get those wins. With returning leaders like Myli, looking to finish her high school career strong, and rising players like Ellie, bringing new energy to the team. If their dedication is any indication, the Lady Titans are in for an exciting season.
