Girls basketball plans to improve off of last season

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Kalynne Rogers, Review Staff

Feature Photo By: Justin Morris Senior Jaelin Jones takes a shot during the Red and White game. The Lady Raiders have their first game on Novemeber 30th.  

It’s getting cold outside which means it’s time for the winter sports to start.

The Rangeview girls basketball team is just about to start their 2016 season. Tryouts started  two weeks ago on Friday, November 11th, and ended on Saturday, November 12th. After tryouts, the girls participated in an event at Rangeview we call the Red and White Game.

This is a game where the junior varsity and the varsity girls play a scrimmage against each other so the staff and students can get a preview of what the season could look like. The varsity girls came out of this game with a win.

“The girls are looking decent for the upcoming season,” head coach LaMonte Weddle commented.

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The Lady Raiders gather for a huddle during a timeout. There are many new faces on varsity this year. (Justin Morris)

This year, the Lady Raiders are looking to do good. They are confident in themselves and their team. The girls this year are looking to work as a team and to work with structure. “This season, I think we will work more as a family,”  said Senior Ronke Adehayo who has played on varsity for three years.

“I think this year there is going to be less attitude, and like I said before we are going to be more of a family. I am excited for the Denver East, Thomas Jefferson, and the Gateway game, which is our rival team,” said Adehayo.

The Lady Raiders are excited or their game against Denver East this year. Jalen Love says, “The past couple of years we’ve been losing to them and last year we came close to beating them. Not to mention my little cousin Dezmonea Antwine, who went here last year and played, now plays for the East. I think this season will go great, there will be less attitude.”

The varsity team this year is confident in their skills. Head coach La Monte Weddle says, “This season depending on how they feel, we should look out for the twins Aaliyah and Alexis Smith, who were on junior varsity last year.”

“We can beat everybody as long as we do our jobs. I don’t think there’s any competition,” said junior Aaliyah Smith.   

Alexis Smith, who is Aaliyah’s twin sister, and speaks for herself and her sister and says, “Even though we are short we are dedicated and have heart and passion for the sport. We will do good if we keep our heads up.”

The seniors Ronke Adehayo, LeShawn Love, and Jaelin Jones will be leading the team. Weddle this year, is looking for leadership and emotion in his team. He also just wants the girls to have a good time and enjoy themselves, but work on getting better.

“The first couple of games are the ones, I’m excited for because we have to prove ourselves as a team and get our momentum going,” says Adehayo.

The girls have their first game on November 30th, as part of a tournament.

Keep up with the stats this season here:

http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/rangeview-raiders-(aurora,co)/girls-basketball/home.htm