The Jonathan Alder girls basketball team has had a successful season so far after finishing 1st in their conference and going 17-5 in the regular season. And are on the road to the postseason with high hopes for the future.

Having a good coach who cares about the team is one of the driving forces behind a successful team. The girls credit their success to their new coach, Allen Eggleston. Although it is his first year coaching at Alder, the team says Coach Eggleston is doing an incredible job. Senior Ellie Heisler says, “Coach has really turned the program around and created a good sense of unity.”

It’s easy to recognize a good coach when their drive and ambition rubs off on the team. Beach says, “Coach really cares about us and cares about you no matter what team you’re on.” Beach says, “The new coaching staff has helped us to be not only better players but a better team and since Coach is more passionate, we have more drive which makes the team more passionate.”

Last season, girls basketball  finished 9-1 coming in second in their conference. Although last year’s record is similar to this year’s record of 10-0  the team atmosphere is completely different. The girls also credit their team for stepping it up this season.

Heisler says, “There is a lot more senior leadership this year and a lot more team unity.”

They explain that having grown up with each other makes for a better team. Beach says,” I love how close we all are and most of us have played together since 4th grade…there’s no cliques and since we’ve been together so long we all know what each other can do.”

With the regular season over, the girls are looking ahead at what the postseason will bring. Heisler says, “The teams we are going to be playing are going to be harder which means some people on the team are gonna have to step up and do more than they are used to.”

The girls have worked very hard this season and are constantly working toward their common goal of working together as a team to win. Senior Hannah Beach says,”We all have the same goal in mind and always working towards our goals in practice.”

Girls basketball is hosting their first game of tournament play on Monday February, 14th at home.