As Lane’s doors closed for the summer, the Girls basketball team took to parks and Instagram to continue their conditioning.

The team had to make accommodations and practice off campus for the summer. This brought new expectations on them as a whole and as individuals.

“We counted a lot on individual motivation actually, we tried to meet up as a group but the girls were supposed to take charge of their workouts,” said Coach Ulmer.

Players were expected to use their Instagram accounts to capture their work at home.

“We were given work outs during the week and we had to record ourselves. Then we sent that to Ulmer and she put them up (on Instagram), it was cool to watch our improvements and it’s something different,” said Carolina Ayapan, Div. 756.

In addition, Coach Ulmer created a Lane Tech Hoop Squad account to show off the team’s work and accomplishments at games and practices.

Among major transitions for the team, is the challenge to fill the shoes of Amy Jensen and last year’s graduated seniors. A starting five that consisted of four seniors and left the team looking to new players for leadership and dominance on the court.

“It’s gonna be really hard to fill their shoes. When you play the same position as someone like Amy, it’s not easy. We lost a lot of talent and our two captains,” said Ayapan.

These differences and new challenges may be obvious, but both players and Ulmer believes that they will benefit the team this season. This season’s team resembles last year’s in only the familiar faces of six returning players.

“This year’s team has more of a neutral base. None of us view each other as better or worse, there is no reminders of difference in skills. It’s cause for a better environment. The team chemistry is just better,” said captain Destiny Flores, Div. 658.

This year’s team will be led by four seniors: Jean Ang, Destiny Flores, Mary Brick, and Vanessa Quiroz. All are enthusiastic for the upcoming season and ready to accept their new roles.

A unique dynamic for the team and the introduction of many new players has brought a lot of changes. Upperclassmen have been expected to rely on each other for improvement, while coaches work with new players.

“We have more pressure I think, there is a focus on the new players so we rely a lot on figuring out what we are doing, both right and wrong. It’s just a change in communication and we’re working on it,” said Flores.

“These seniors are incredibly strong both leadership-wise and physically. It gives the underclassmen confidence because our older girls are intimidating in the right way,” said Ulmer.

To open their season, the team hosted their first ‘Green and Gold Game’ on Saturday, Nov. 14. The Varsity and JV teams competed and also showed their progress within the first few weeks of the season. The game ended with a Varsity victory, but also served a purpose in making coaches and the girls aware of where the team needed to improve.  

The following week marked the official beginning to their season, as the team geared up for suburban competition in the Addison Trail Thanksgiving Tournament. The team finished with an undefeated record and won first place.

Along with this team accomplishment Yesenia Rodriguez, Irelyn Macdiarmid, and Maya Lily were voted for the All Tournament Team for their individual performances.

This strong open to their season has brought about a new confidence for the team and determination to settle for nothing less than their best, a championship team.

Confidence is exactly what the team’s goals are centered around. In a division with dominant teams such Taft and Lincoln Park, the girls understand how focused they must remain even after recent success.

“We want to win the Red North. There is a lot of tough competition but all we have to do is stay focused and keep working hard,” said Ulmer.

Captains, coaches, and players have high hopes after the team’s hard work and initial success. They plan to hone their confidence as their season progresses.

“I think this is the team, we can do it this year,” said Flores.