Led by a strong senior class, the girls’ basketball team is off to one of the best starts in school history.
Paris Devers, Inia Jones, Kiara Baptist and Liliana Peterson have all played varsity since their freshman year, and along with senior transfer Natasha Wilson, they have helped the Eagles to a great start to the season.
“It’s a really good group of seniors,” head coach Micheal Kroupa said. “They all have really strong leadership skills. This should be an exciting year.”
All five seniors play club for Nebraska Hoops Elite, so they know each other’s strengths.
“We’ve been training together all year,” Devers said. “We know how to play together and lead the team together.”
The seniors agreed their main goal of the season is to make it to the state tournament. They qualified freshman and sophomore year but missed out last year after a district loss to Millard North.
“They’ve had a lot of pressure on them the past few years,” Kroupa said. “The pressure has allowed for them to learn from their mistakes and know what it takes to win and make this a special season.”
Proof of this, Kroupa said, was the 47-35 win over the defending state champions, Millard South.
“This is the deepest team I’ve ever had,” Kroupa said. “We have great senior leaders and good underclassmen that can lead the team as well and that win proved this.”
Bradley University commit Inia Jones said they have a great shot at winning state because of how close the team is.
“I think our chemistry is unmatched,” Jones said. “We are thankful for the time we’ve had with each other, not only the court but getting to know each other on a deeper level.”
Kroupa agreed, saying they are great leaders on the court and around the school.
“They do a great job of promoting the team first,” Kroupa said. “Leadership just comes natural to these girls.”
Jones said the players will keep working hard to make this season special.
“We are more than teammates, we are sisters for life,” Jones said. “That is why I think this season will be so memorable.”
