The #6 girls basketball team is 2-1 in league and has an overall record of 10-4, with hopes of returning to Gill Coliseum for a chance to win the state championship title again, just like they did in 2015 and 2017.

The girls fell short last night, Jan. 15, to their top competitor, #1 Wilsonville, with a final score of 59-71.

“The outcome wasn’t what we were expecting, and so it was very upsetting for us, but I think as a team we’re [going to] use it to get better,” senior co-captain Jessica Loboy said. “We’re going to use this game to fuel our fire. Where we kind of [went wrong is that] we got into a lot of foul trouble, so they ended up getting a lot of points off of free throws, which ultimately… hurt us in the end.”

The team is made up of one freshman, two sophomores, two juniors, and four seniors. With only three returning players this year, the team has had to adjust and learn how each person plays.

“We may not be the biggest team in terms of size, but we make up for it by playing hard, being tough, playing unselfish[ly], and with a lot of heart,” freshman Mia Skoro said.

Over winter break, the team played in the Nike Tournament of Champions in Phoenix, Arizona, where they played against very competitive teams and went 3-1. They also played in Bend at the Oregon Holiday Hoopfest, where they went 3-0.

“In Arizona, we learned to deal with… adversity because we had two people hurt already, and then a bunch of people got the flu,” junior Lindsay Drango said. “Every day had something new to deal with. And we ended up playing with like, six people for most of our games.”

Winning their first league game against #30 Parkrose on Jan. 8, with a final score of 85-23, the girls felt confident as they started league competition.

“Our whole thing that game [against Parkrose] was to stay intense the whole game and focus,” the team’s other captain, senior Alyson Miura said. “It got a little chippy, so we did a good job [of] keeping our heads in the game and not getting out of character.”

Injuries have been something that the team has dealt with significantly this season. University of Southern California women’s basketball commit Miura is dealing with an acromioclavicular joint sprain in her shoulder, preventing her from being able to practice and play.

“I think we’re just very excited for this season and what we can accomplish and we’re working really hard,” Miura said. “I just can’t wait to be back out there with my team to work hard with them.”

Another injured player is Drango, who played in her first game this season on Jan. 5, after recovering from tearing her ACL twice within the past two years.

“The love and connection my first game back… I’ve never felt that way before,” Drango said. “We [have] each other’s backs for anything.”

Several of the team members commented on the close bond that they share, and how much they enjoy practicing and playing together.

“We’re really good about energy, and there’s lots of love on the court,” Drango said. “We know how to take care of the ball, but our connection on the court is where we are really strong.”

In addition to the close bond they share, the team members also feel that they have an impressive range of skills among them.

“We have a lot of people that can shoot and knock down shots, but when teams try and take the threes away from us, we are skilled enough to attack the basket,” junior Emily Niebergall said. “Our guard play is [also] really good.”

Their next game is this Friday, Jan. 18 at #25 Milwaukie at 7:15pm. The team also has a home game next Tuesday, Jan. 22 versus #28 Scappoose at 7:15pm.