With the girls’ basketball season ramping up, it’s clear to see that a lot has changed on the team this year. After graduating six seniors last year, this year’s senior class is half the size, with just three members. Having a small senior class comes with its challenges, but it also has many upsides.
Last year, more than half of the team consisted of upperclassmen, bringing with them experience and leadership. Thanks largely to these qualities and the team’s chemistry, BHS girls basketball finished the season second in the Rocky Mountain league, with a league record of 10-2 and an overall record of 14-10. The season had many high points, including beating the Fairview Knights 41-27 and qualifying for the playoffs.
This year, led by three seniors; Kara Dougherty, Ruby Gustafson, and Olivia Hill, BHS girls’ basketball has beaten Prospect Ridge Academy, Pine Bluffs, Brighton, Mountain Range and most importantly Fairview as of January 15th. Dougherty brings with her three years of varsity experience and was named captain this year. Gustafson boasts four years of varsity experience and is also a team captain. Hill contributes three years of varsity experience, and although she is not an official captain, she says she has naturally fallen into a leadership role as one of the oldest, most tenured members of the team.
A small leadership team like the one the BHS girls’ basketball team has this year is beneficial both on and off the court. Off the court, Dougherty said, “Having 3 seniors on a team is special because it allows us to consciously determine the team culture we want to create.” Adding to this, Hill says, “Having only 3 seniors on the team is special because it’s so different from other years, where we’ve had larger groups of seniors. We’ve known and played together for a long time, making lots of memories. We know how to play with each other and work well together as a team.” Gustafson agrees, saying, “We play with trust because we know how the others play and trust them to deliver when needed.”
Not only does a small group of seniors shape how they work together, but their views on leadership are also affected. Dougherty says that this year, she feels “an added responsibility to speak up and help lead the team with the experience I have.” Adding on once again, Hill stated, “Being part of a smaller group of seniors definitely pushes you more to step up as a leader and keep the culture and expectations you’ve learned over the years.”
All three girls work well together thanks to their different backgrounds. As Gustafson explained, “all three seniors play another sport, which gives us unique ideas to bring to the team and help us be successful.” Dougherty also said, “We all have slightly different skill sets and know how to use them together effectively.”
When reflecting on last year, Dougherty, Hill, and Gustafson all stated that making the playoffs was a highlight and that the team’s main goal this year is to do the same. Dougherty believes the team found such incredible success last season thanks to its overall focus, which led everyone to work together. Gustafson adds, saying that last year there was a “strong team culture” and lots of “hard work” leading to postseason success.
With big shoes to fill this year, Hill believes that the team will find success if “there is rhythm on offense and everyone steps up to score and get points on the board.” Dougherty says, “We will find success this season by coming together more on and off the court to build our chemistry. I also think it is important that we are positive and work together with the common goal of having a successful season and making a deep playoff run.” While Gustafson agrees with her fellow seniors about the importance of team chemistry and hard work, she says the most important thing the team needs to find success is a large, energetic crowd! All ready, the impact of these factors can be seen on the court. On January 15th, BHS beat Fairview 50-43 in an exciting overtime match, making this the third year in a row BHS has won the rivalry game.
All three seniors are looking forward to ending their high school basketball season on a high note and are focused on savoring their last year as members of the BHS girls basketball team. Their leadership capabilities and future goals serve as a reminder that a small leadership team offers many benefits, not only to the leaders themselves but also to the team as a whole. Dougherty, Hill, and Gustafson have big plans for this season, so make sure to go out and support them as they work to lead the team to the playoffs!
