Best Years To Come For Panther Basketball

JAKE REYNDERS Staff Writer

Basketball has always been the pride of Pinewood. Despite the exception al education, tight-knit commu nity, and endless extracurriculars, Pinewood is known for its prow ess on the court. While often be ing overshadowed by their female counterparts, the boys basketball team has nearly matched their per formances this year. Heading into a crucial stretch of the season, the hope of a Central Coast Section championship is lingering for both teams.

Girls basketball coach Doc Scheppler is frustrated with his team’s bad luck.

“We’ve had to go through with three ineli gible players and three girls down with knee injuries,” Scheppler said. “Out of our 14, that leaves eight girls left.”

Due to his significantly shrunken roster, Scheppler has had to put in players he believes should slowly be integrated into Open Division basketball. He knows this is a transition year for his young team that is brimming with potential for the future.

“We’re asking girls who just joined the program to step into a bigger role that they weren’t expected to have,” Scheppler said. “[Freshmen Lita Fakapelea and Luisa Tava] have done an excellent job of playing at the standard we expect from our players.”

In terms of this team’s goal for the season, assistant coach Kiki Nakano preached the importance of taking it step by step.

“Celebrating the little wins and taking it day by day, practice by practice, and game by game. That’s how we’re going to win games,” Nakano said.

She said this was crucial in pushing a team that has been depleted of so many key players. Nakano and Scheppler said that three players are really stepping up right now.

“[Sophomore Jolyn Ding], [Senior Ava Uhrich], [Junior Alex Facelo]. They make a huge difference whether they’re on the court or not.”