AWS basketball launches historic season

AWS+basketball+launches+historic+season

Kaitlin Tan

This winter sports season will be memorable for Annie Wright Upper School girls and boys basketball. USG is looking forward to a successful season this year with a large contingent of returning players and a strong cohort of young players. This will also be the first season of USB basketball in Annie Wright history.

The USG basketball team is anticipating a very successful season. Annie Wright Athletic Director Mike Finch emphasizes the senior leadership of the team, shining light on Amhina Webb and Ali MacCord, who have contributed to the team immensely and bring the team together.

According to Finch, Webb, a four year starter, “has [aided] tremendously in the upwards trajectory of the team.” MacCord, who joined the team her junior year, “is spontaneous and goofy and wants the team to do as well as it can.”

Finch also shines light on freshmen Jazmyn Stone and Bella Spencer, who have been playing Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball since middle school, and sophomore Julianna Walker, who was named 2017 female basketball player of the year for Pierce County.

According to Finch, the school is in the midst of an upward trajectory. Three years ago the team tied the school record by winning six games; two years ago the team won 14 games; and last year the team won 15 games. Despite the loss of the previous senior players, he anticipates that the trajectory will continue due to the “large contingent of returning players” and players who have high level competitive experience.

This year, Annie Wright USG basketball has only one varsity level team, but despite varying experience and age, the team possesses, according to Finch, “very good team chemistry and is gelling together well.”

“The girls are really hoping to make the state playoffs, which would be pretty remarkable,” said Finch. Annie Wright has never before made the state playoffs.

For USB basketball, 11 boys have turned out, all with varying competitive experience.

“It’s exciting. They’re working really hard. Sometimes they even work with the USG team – they’ve scrimmaged each other before too. It’s unknown territory, [but] I’m pumped for [their first game],” Finch said.

USG basketball is currently 3-0, recently defeating Bonney Lake, a class 4A high school. Their next home game is Thursday, December 13 at 6 pm. The next home game for USB basketball is Monday, December 10 at 5:15 p.m.