Playing some of the stiffest competition in the nation made them
better, suffering through two nail-biting overtime losses made them
tougher but spending five days together – that made them a
family.
Playing some of the stiffest competition in the nation made them better, suffering through two nail-biting overtime losses made them tougher but spending five days together – that made them a family.
It was a “Girls Night Out” that lasted five days
The Gilroy Mustangs girls varsity basketball team knew when they left the Garlic City that it was going to be suiting it up against some of the nation’s most elite teams as it competed in the NIKE TOC (Tournament of Champions) in Phoenix, Ariz.
What the ‘Stangs didn’t know at the time was that it would bring them closer as a unit than they ever imagined possible.
It was something that head coach Keri Williams was counting on and was thrilled to see come to fruition.
“It was great to see them all interact away from the basketball court. It was nice to see them just laugh and goof around and be girls,” Williams laughed herself. “The trip was so well worth it in so many ways. We work so hard together on the court and it was great to bond with each other off the court. It definitely brought us together as a unit.”
The team ate, drank, played, horsed around and just hung out together for an entire week and all of them to a person agreed with teammate Marissa Nowakowski who admitted “it made us closer, we’re like one big family now, we’re a real sisterhood.”
The player that Williams said played “the best basketball I’ve honestly ever seen her play” was Jessica Groppe.
“The whole team, not just myself, played great and improved a lot. We really stepped up to the plate and played awesome basketball. Especially against Torrey Pines. We really clicked in that game,” Groppe admitted. “It was a definite confidence booster. It’s amazing how we felt against the competition we played. It was a definite bonding experience. Hanging out together definitely helped us on the court.”
Groppe also admitted that seeing and playing against the competition that was in Phoenix toughened them up as a team and opened their eyes as well.
“We saw the level we want to be at and the level we want to get to,” Groppe said. “We know now what it takes to push ourselves to the next level and get it right. We’re more focused than we’ve ever been.
Nowakowski’s enthusiasm came through loud and clear and is most certainly a representative of the team spirit that this squad has developed.
“Phoenix was an absolutely awesome experience. And not just the basketball. We had great rhythm on the court, we got along great and bonded like no one really expected,” Nowakowski continued. “We don’t have any cliques or fights and there’s never any drama on our team anyway but this brought it to another level. It really solidified our friendships. Our game, I can honestly say, is brilliant right now. We’re so excited about starting TCAL right now. I can’t even tell you how ready we are to get it going for real. We’re fired up. No, we’re pumped. Really, really pumped.”
One meal for an entire basketball team – $150.00
Hotel rooms for four nights and 12 people – $ 700.00
Airfare for 10 players and two coaches – $1,200.00
Bonding Experience that turns a team into a sisterhood – Priceless!
Up Next
GHS vs. San Benito, Thursday 7pm, GIlroy Gym
