The Vikings girls’ basketball team is getting ready for what they hope will be a big season. After a tough ending last year, the team is focused on improving, staying consistent and proving they can go even further this time.

Coach Anthony Smith said the main focus going into the season is getting the most out of the team every day.

“The biggest challenge that we’re gonna have is just trying to maximize our potential every day. Just trying to get the most out of each other every single day,” Smith said.

He said the players are motivated to bounce back after a season that didn’t meet expectations.

“Last year was a down year from our expectations, and this is a rebound type year. So then, I’m predicting that our young lady’s gonna come out hungry, excited and then try to get us further than we’ve been in the past,” Smith stated.

The season concluded in the IHSA Regional Championship with a loss to Sandburg, 62-50. The team’s final record after the playoffs was 23-10, and their Conference record was 11-3, finishing 2nd in the Conference, according to MaxPreps.

Smith said the team already feels closer and more connected than they did last season.

“I just think our camaraderie, the team, togetherness, this year, seems so much better than last year,” he said. “I think that we have more talent, also, that’s coming out and working out and [attending] open gyms and conditioning in the weight room, and just kids just preparing themselves for that better season.”

The Vikings have been putting in hard work with morning workouts, weight training, and open gyms several days a week. “To see the kids working out and showing commitment was a big investment,” Smith shared.

He also said fans can expect to see a new look from the Vikings on the court this year.

“Last year, we were mostly guards, and then, we played outside a lot. This year, we should be playing inside-out, and we finally have some pressure that’s down low that can block shots, that can rebound, and hopefully that’s gonna help our transition game and the overall game,” Smith stated.

Smith expressed that he’s excited to see how the younger players who played last year have grown.

“We had some freshmen that played a lot, and I’m looking to see them take the range and lead this show and show us how we want to play and what type of style that we want to play: in your face, defense, and just be able to do that for the entire game,” Smith remarked.

Laila Williams, a sophomore guard who averaged 8 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals per game during her freshman year on varsity, said the team is motivated and has one main goal.

“As a team, we all wanna get down [to] state and be able to win [at] state,” she expressed.

When asked what she thinks the team’s biggest strength is, Williams said, “Defensively, I feel stronger because [Smith] is a very defensive-first coach.”

The players do have individual goals too, each one driven by personal improvement and a desire to step up their game and do better than ever. “Individually, I want to be better than my freshman year, I want to be able to average 20 points, [and] be able to have great defensive stops,” Williams added.

Some other returning players with notable individual stats are senior guard Aunyai Deere, who averaged 13 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals per game; sophomore guard Zoey Ratliff, who averaged 6 points, 2 assists and 2 steals per game; and sophomore guard Katelyn Jones, who averaged 5 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals per game.

With more talent, better chemistry, and higher expectations, the Vikings are ready to take the court this season and show what they can do.