With the excitement of the fall season now officially in the books, Metea Valley sports are shifting towards the next phase: the highly anticipated winter season. A key part of this new phase is girls’ basketball, a program poised to take the court and make its mark. After a challenging 8-22 season last year, the team is entering the new campaign with a renewed focus on unity, effort, and climbing the competitive ranks of the DuPage Valley Conference (DVC).
The atmosphere around the team is extremely positive as they transition from offseason workouts to preparing for their official opener.
“This year our team is going to be a really fun group,” sophomore and second-year varsity player Payton Giannone said. “Expect a lot of smiles and hard work, and hopefully results will follow.”
This past week, the team participated in their tryouts, a major stage in finalizing the roster. The gymnasium was filled with the energy of student-athletes, all determined to earn a roster spot. The tryouts were a test of the girls’ endurance and game-sense, consisting of agility drills and conditioning tests designed to push the limits of the student-athletes.
“As a team, we’ve been strength training in the offseason to prepare for the upcoming season,” Giannone noted.
Coaches watched closely during tryouts, checking not just for overall talent, skill, and athletic potential, but also for important small details like teamwork, hustle, and the mental toughness needed to be competitive. The process prioritized players who demonstrate leadership, a strong work ethic, and the ability to work together as a team, especially as they look to improve from last season’s 8-22 record.
The experience gained from last season is serving as motivation for the returning players on the team. Giannone reflected on this lesson.
“From last season, I learned that it’s never about who you’re playing against, it’s about who you’re playing with,” Giannone said. “You can only go as far as your team is strong, and you’re only as strong as your weakest link.”
The girls’ basketball team is ready to embrace the challenge of the new season, with their sights set on making an impactful run. The season officially tips off on Monday, Nov. 20, against non-conference opponent Warren Township in the Brenda Whitesell Tournament. This highly anticipated season opener will serve as an immediate test of the Mustangs’ cohesion and conditioning, providing an early measure of their skills for the demanding schedule ahead.
With dedicated players, a renewed focus on teamwork, and months of preparation behind them, Metea Valley girls basketball is ready to show everybody just how far their collective strength can take them. Make sure to come out to the game and support the Mustangs in what we all hope to be a strong start to the highly anticipated season.
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