As fall sports come to an end, the Kinnelon High School girl’s basketball team is beginning to prepare for their upcoming season. With a combination of new and old players, the season will surely be filled with lots of fresh talent. 

As the basketball season approaches this winter, many athletes are gaining a lot of excitement for their upcoming season. After practices started this past week, the first game will be on Dec. 17, and they are ready to win. Even though the team is slightly smaller than it usually is, it does not stop them from working hard toward their determination for victory.

Kinnelon Girls Basketball coach Don Trifari has been making sure that they are putting their all into their playing at practice. According to Sophomore Amelia Olsen, practice consists of “going over drills, going over play, shooting around, playing, preparing ourselves for the season, working on leadership and teamwork, and developing new friendships with fellow teammates.”

Sophomore Alexandra DeAngelo has participated in girls’ basketball at KHS for the past two years. Speaking of the current season, she said, “We have a great coach, a great team, lots of good people on the team, and I had a lot of fun last year and [I] am looking forward to this year.”

After weeks of practice, the girls have greatly improved and are ready to take on the 2024-25 season. Junior Captain Kelly Donaldson is looking forward to this upcoming season and is prepared to lead her team with passion and teamwork. Donaldson says “I am so excited for the season this year, even though the team isn’t as big as everyone would like, I am honored to be the team captain this year and work together as a team to become stronger and more powerful.”

All the girls are working their hardest, and giving it their best efforts, while they play in their practices.  Even though practices get rough sometimes, it is all worth it in the end for these players. Sophomore Amelia Olsen says, “Practices are a lot of hard work. I am always dripping sweat and drinking a lot of water; it can become very stressful and overwhelming sometimes, but it is all worth it in the end. All of this work and time will all pay off.”