As the Girls Basketball Season approaches, the State Champions are preparing to return to the court better than ever.
Leading the charge for the team is Coach Eddie Stritzel. With 25-years of experience coaching at various levels, Stritzel is ready to go for another season. There has been lots of talk about expectations for the team this season, however coach Stritzel does not seem very distracted. “Our expectations never change. Our one and only goal is to play for a State Championship,” said Strizel.
This season is most certainly an important one with five Senior captains and eight total graduating Senior players. Sophomore Stella Sakalas has set a personal goal for herself to make this season a “special one” for all of the senior players. The team’s vibes have been good and it’s felt by both under- and upperclassmen. “We don’t feel pressure, because we work so well together,” said Sakalas.
While there was only one graduating senior on last year’s team roster, there will be some shifts and changes. “I feel like my role has changed because [Gracie] Carstensen graduated, so I feel like we need to score more and contribute more as a team,” said Senior Forward Danni Scully. Stritzel also recognizes the absence of Carstensen, but is confident the team can fill in the gaps. “We feel we have many great options on our bench from the 22-23 season to fill the huge hole left by Gracie,” said Stritzel.
Four out of the five starting players from the 22-23 season are returning including Seniors Danni Scully, Olivia Austin, Amalia Dray, and Mary Bridget Wilson. They will be joined by Sophomores Lyla Shelton and Stella Sakalas who were big contributors last year.
The team welcomed a new point guard this year, Junior Allia von Schlegell, who transferred from St. Viator. “I am ready to compete and I just want to help out as much as I can to get another state championship for Naz,” said Schlegell.
After winning the championship last year, the team moved up from 3A to 4A. Some of the teams that they will face this year are Barrington, Whitney Young, Fremd, and Hersey. They will also play some very challenging teams in their conference such as Carmel Catholic and Benet Academy.
The Girls Basketball team is trying to replicate what they did last year, going 37-1 and winning a State Championship. “This season the girls are looking to make history by doing what no other team has done, win a title in 3A and then 4A,” said Stritzel. The kids and staff feel no pressure at all.
All of the girls say they are ready for this season and are ready to win back-to-back State Championships for Nazareth Academy.
