By NOAH KRAVITZ
Staff Writer
So far it hasn’t been the best season that the QO girls basketball team could’ve hoped for. There is definitely room for improvement as the Cougars enter their second half of the season. Coach Bobby Bishop has been relying hard on his veteran players to make way for some of the younger players on this team, who are still relatively new.
More so this season compared to other seasons is that Coach Bishop has relied more on his younger players. This is his first year without some of his key veteran players, which allows the upbringing of some of the freshmen and even the sophomores. For instance, Bishop mentions freshman Abby Emard and sophomore Maeve Daly have consistently become better players.
“I think some of these younger players, who haven’t really had a big experience being on the team yet, are the ones who are doing a good job and carrying a chip on their shoulder,” said Bishop. “Sometimes you might be a freshman who got pushed up to varsity and might be thinking that your job is done. No, you’ve gotta keep working.”
Another player that Bishop says has stepped up in a big way throughout the season is junior Evelyn Steele. What do I mean by stepping up? Well, averaging 9 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 blocks a game.
“She’s really found her stride. Right now, the focus is on her scoring. Using her height more,” Bishop said.
In the most recent of the team’s performances, she’s been a key part of how this team is able to stay close in their contests.
As we head down the road and into the playoffs, it will be interesting to see how much leadership is to be a factor in this team’s hopeful success.
Not just Coach Bishop, but the whole team in general has really been grateful for senior Kasey Rappaport’s leadership throughout this season during the positive moments, and certainly in the negative moments.
“It’s been huge to see her leadership. It’s good to see. She helps keep the team calm; she’s a good playmaker and ball handler. This all helps us in so many ways on the court and off the court. We haven’t really had that this year in some moments. She’s been a really good leader and more notably to some of these younger girls on the team,” Bishop said.
In the last three games, the Cougars have lost twice, losing to B-CC and Wootton both by double digits, but blowing out Wheaton by 50+ points.
As of now, Quince Orchard is at a record of 7-9, and awaits a crucial matchup versus top school in the county: Clarksburg on February 9th at the Dome. Be sure to cheer on your Cougars!
February 2024
The Prowler 