Girls’ basketball finishes fourth in league, misses playoffs

Stephanie Ascevedo, Staff Reporter

Tracy High girls’ basketball season came to an end against West High at West High, losing in overtime, 57-54, on Feb.16. Tracy finished the season with a record of 9-17.

Coach Derek Solano had high hopes for the girls making it to playoffs this season.

Since four of the girls have been playing varsity basketball for three years, I would have wished for better success for playoffs.

— Derek Solano

Every team will always have its ups and downs, such as strengths and weaknesses, especially when it comes to competing for playoffs.

“Our weakness was our inability to shoot. We weren’t really good shooters, but our defense did improve from previous seasons,” Solano said.

Basketball doesn’t just require strength, skills, and timing, it also requires communication, dedication, and humbleness.

TA3A1703Wayne Thallander

Robinson goes up for a lay up as a warm up.
Wayne Thallander
Robinson goes up for a lay up as a warm up.

TA3A1721

Being a captain is a big role, because you’re the one making decisions that will benefit the team, and Tessa Robinson was the only team captain.

“This year did seem to be the most likely year to go to playoffs and the beginning of the season everyone including coach saw us going,” Robinson said.

As a captain, you will also notice some strengths and weaknesses.

“Our strengths were particularly our defense getting better than it has been previous years,” Robinson said.  “As our weakness, I feel that we didn’t play consistently throughout a game. One half we would come out strong, and the other half we would finish flat.”

Tracy High’s biggest disappointment this season was losing to West High, losing the opportunity to play in playoffs, finishing in fourth in league.

Team awards were for Robinson for team captain, Danielle Camegla for most improved, Robinson and Natalie Johnson for most valuable player, Katherine Amaral for best defender, Izzy Valdez and Johnson received all league recognition.