The Carson City-Crystal girls basketball team is poised for a fresh start in the upcoming season as they aim to revive their program after last year’s cancellation due to low player numbers. Under the leadership of new head coach Deo Winsor, the Eagles are eager to return to the varsity level, fielding a team composed entirely of underclassmen.
At practice, freshman Crystal Coon demonstrated her skills during an offensive drill, embodying the enthusiasm that surrounds the team’s return. Coach Winsor expressed optimism, stating, “They enjoy playing basketball. The not-so-good thing is they don’t have a lot of experience. With six freshmen, we’re going to take some lumps, but they all have good attitudes and they all work hard.”
Senior Cailyn Zemla echoed the sentiment, sharing her excitement to contribute to the program’s development this year. “I think we’re all just really excited to play. We just want to try and improve the program a lot this year,” she said.
Winsor, a graduate of Fulton, brings extensive coaching experience, including ten years with junior high basketball and recent roles coaching younger teams. His decision to take on the varsity position came after witnessing the challenges faced by last year’s team, which did not compete at the varsity level. Winsor emphasized the necessity of creating stability for the players, noting, “We have to have some stability for these girls. So far, we’ve been having fun and good practices, and we’re ready to play against other opponents.”
The Eagles face a unique challenge this season, as they will be competing mainly against older teams. Winsor acknowledged the potential difficulties due to the lack of experience but remains focused on building the team’s skills and confidence. “There’s no doubt about it… we’ve got a couple of different drills that are really intense because that’s the type of intensity we have to have for a whole game.”
Zemla also recognized the hurdles ahead, particularly the adjustment to playing against more seasoned opponents. “I think understanding the reality of what we’re up against is going to be challenging,” she remarked, highlighting the difference in age and experience compared to their rivals.
Despite the hurdles, the Eagles have some foundational experience to rely on, as four players from last year’s junior varsity team are returning. Winsor pointed out that this experience is beneficial, stating, “The three sophomores we had and the one senior are the core of our group. They’re the leaders of this group, and they’ve been bringing these girls along.”
As the only senior on the team, Zemla aims to foster a supportive environment for her younger teammates. “I want to try and be someone they’re not scared of,” she explained. “If at any point they need help, I can help them. I want to create an environment where we can all trust each other and work together.”
Winsor praised Zemla’s leadership qualities, noting her ability to lead by example, even if she is not the most vocal member of the team. “She’s already been leading by example,” he said.
Looking ahead, Winsor has set expectations focused on improvement rather than wins and losses. “I expect to see improvement throughout the season… we’re getting better every week,” he stated. The team is eager for the competition to begin, with hopes of not only achieving a few victories but also gaining valuable experience throughout the season.
Zemla acknowledged the mix of nerves and excitement among the players. “I think that we’re all really nervous, which is to be expected. I also think they’re all really excited and want to actually try and do some good things for us this year,” she said.
In his vision for the season, Winsor emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive team atmosphere. “I want us to play with a good team atmosphere. That’s going to be the biggest thing,” he said, drawing from his experiences in successful programs.
As the Eagles gear up for their season, they are prepared to face the challenges ahead with determination and a commitment to growth. Winsor concluded, “I think that we’re going to be a rough program at the beginning, but I think by the end of the season, people are going to be impressed with what we’re going to do.”
