As the season comes to an end, some of the New Albany High School girls basketball players tell us about how they prepare and get ready for the sectional games of the 2024 season. 

“I physically prepare myself for sectionals by staying hydrated and all of those sorts of things. As a team we prepare for sectionals and the big game at the end of the season by focusing in and staying close as a team,” Junior Sophia Corley said. 

Corley stays ready for sectionals by keeping her health up. She stays hydrated and filled with protein. Staying close as a team is also another huge factor of preparation. 

“Getting a lot of practice in and listening to music really gets me prepared for playing,”  Sophomore Maizy Smith said. 

Playing her favorite music before the game gets Smith hyped up and prepared for the games. Putting in good practice time is also an important way Smith gets ready. 

“The way I physically prepare myself for sectionals is a lot of rest. Also watching films, we have played a lot of games, and practiced a lot so a lot of rest is needed, gotta get my body right,” Freshman Emily Spainhour said. 

Watching film and studying it is very important to Spainhour, making sure she watches their strengths and weaknesses for their next game. Preparation to Spainhour is also making sure her body is well rested, and taken care of. 

“I believe team bonding makes the team play better because of the chemistry, we know how each other are on the court,” Spainhour said.

Knowing each other on  the court is a good skill to have, and making sure they know each other’s next moves is also good preparation.

“Team bonding, and having a good relationship with your teammates off the court definitely relates to how well you play together on the floor. As we have done more team bonding things throughout the year, I definitely believe that we have played better as a team,” Corley said. 

Corley explains how important team bonding is. It has truly helped their team this year, as they have gotten to know each other better, on and off the court. 

Sectionals are a huge part of their season. Preparation for the games is very important. Working hard, resting their bodies, watching films, and bonding as a team are all ways to make themselves better, individually and as a team.