The girls’ JV basketball team has a completely new look from last year. Seven freshmen are on the team, and most players from last year moved up to varsity. Sophomore Sloane Pierle is one of the only returners from last year and is a team captain.
“From the very first practice, our JV team was already getting in trouble for not focusing. We were too busy catching up on school drama or ‘do you remember when’ moments.” Pierle said, ”A bunch of us have grown up playing grade school or high school sports with one another, so everyone was more than comfortable with each other. And not one practice has gone by without a good laugh. That pretty much sums up how our JV team is different from last year’s.”
Freshman Carly Feldman is also a team captain who has a take on what the team needs to work on throughout the season.
“The biggest struggle for our team this year is playing on the ball defense,” Feldman said. “We use our hands instead of our bodies and move our feet. We are aggressive, but sometimes too aggressive and it leads us into foul trouble.”
Another returner on the team is sophomore Demi Goss. She is a team captain who has stepped up in leadership since she is now a veteran on the JV team.
“The person who has shown great leadership for this team is Demi Goss. She has spoken up in telling us what we need to do better and how we can improve. She is one of the captains and has done a great job in leading the team,” Feldman said.
The Lady Royals squeaked out their last game against Whiteland 37-34. Caroline Schoettle won the toughness belt for leading the team with 10 points and backline defensive effort. Lucy Swartz also contributed a lot by bringing great energy off the bench and adding on seven points.
The Royal’s recent game against Center Grove ended in a win 39-19. Maric Kramer led the team in scoring with 13 and earned the defensive belt. Ten out of the 12 players on the team also scored in the game.
Another opponent, Richmond, also ended up falling to the Royals. After the first half, Roncalli was up 36-0 and ended up winning 48-6. Freshman Lola Morelli led all scores with 13, and Feldman won the JV toughness belt by leading the team with 5 steals.
This game was a rival game for Roncalli with multiple connections to each of the schools. Carly Feldman had been looking forward to this game for a while.
“I am looking forward to playing Center Grove at home on Tuesday, November 26th. They will be great competition for us and be very competitive,” Feldman said, “It will be a good opportunity to prove that we are a great team, and it will also help us get better.”
