This year, the Baldwin High School girls basketball team embraces their new head coach, Kara Roland.
“I’m currently in my fourth year of coaching, and it’s been an incredible journey,” Roland said. “I started as the freshman coach in my first year, moved on to coach JV for the next two years, and now, I’m proud to be the Head Coach. I’m loving every moment of this experience.”
The girls work hard all week at practice and during their games as well. This season, most of the games fall on Tuesdays and Fridays. If you’re interested in attending a game, there’s one this Friday, December 20th, and more after the holiday break.
“Being a part of this team is very exciting and always has a fun aspect to it,” senior Lauren Berg said. “We are like a family and I enjoy how close we all are with each other.”
With all these games planned, the girls practice close to 6 days a week. They are so dedicated to the sport, and the coaches help encourage the players to do their best.
“This season, I’m focused on building a strong team culture where the girls feel supported and connected both on and off the court. We’ll work hard to sharpen our skills, improve our strategies, and compete with energy and heart,” Roland said. “ I also want to focus on personal growth, leadership, and teamwork, making sure everyone feels valued and can contribute. Overall, I want this to be a fun, memorable season where we push ourselves and grow together as a team.”
If you’re considering playing basketball, the players and coaches would both agree that you should join. When asked to advise about playing the sport, most players said the same thing; that it is super fun and they recommend joining.
“There is nothing more rewarding than the game of basketball,” junior Chloe Neufeld said. “I encourage everyone who plays basketball to hold yourself to the highest standard but also giving yourself grace because there will always ups and downs throughout your journey. The only thing that matters is the way you respond to adversity.”