Girls’ basketball faces rough start to season, looks to improve for CCS

Every shot counts.

Nobody knows this better than the girls’ varsity basketball team, who could have won three of their five first league games if it weren’t for their low free throw-shooting percentage of 45 percent.

Despite their 1-5 season record in the De Anza league as of Jan. 26, the girls have already made it into CCS by virtue of their 8-9 pre-season record.

“We’re in a very good league,” said coach Mike Davey. “[It’s] the best public school league in the Bay Area, so that on top of player losses we didn’t anticipate makes it difficult.”

The team’s goal for the remainder of the season is to continue improving so they are ready for CCS.

“We have to stay focused, and that’s tough when you’ve been losing,” said Davey. “But we really need to get better in order to be successful in CCS.”

Key players include senior point guards Emily Baba and Anna Schroeder and leading scorer and rebounder senior Nicole Gragnola.

Gragnola, who broke a school record by scoring 42 points in a pre-season game against Pioneer, is praised by her teammates for showing leadership and pushing the team.

“Nicole plays her hardest constantly,” said Schroeder. “She helps each of us improve in practices by pushing us to play and practice harder.”

The team celebrated when Gragnola broke the school record, because it truly “reflects how much effort she puts in for the team and how much she cares for the game,” according to Schroeder.

With Gragnola under the basket to make easy two-point shots, the one thing the team needs to improve on is shooting outside the three-point line.

“What we really need is someone to step up and be consistent as a shooter, so we can knock down 3’s when we’re being zoned,” said Davey.

Staying positive has been a strength for the team, Davey said.

“I’m very appreciative of the fact that the girls haven’t quit, despite of their losing streak,” said Davey. “They still play hard, and I think they believe that we’re going to continue to get better and get some wins down the stretch.”

The team believes that if they continue to improve and try their best, then their season has a good chance of turning around

“If we put in 100 percent, improve on the little things and give it all we’ve got, then we will definitely start winning,” said senior post Baylee Yates.