Short-handed Estacada girls basketball to bring ‘team focus’ to 2023-24 season

Published 3:00 am Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Estacada girls basketball is continuing to build back up a program that has struggled with participation as it gets set to tip-off the 2023-24 season.

With the loss of several talented seniors to graduation, and a steady attrition of others choosing to play club volleyball in the winter, the Rangers finds themselves again thin on numbers. But there is quiet confidence in the gym, thanks to talented returners and promising youngsters.

“Our expectations this year are more about the growth of our players,” said Coach Ashley Justice.

The plan is for a large number of players to swing between varsity and junior varsity. While not ideal — some girls will be playing significant minutes in two games a night — it does allow for an incredible chance for a young core to jump-start their high school careers.

“While not ideal, it will get those swingers lots of court time, which should really help them develop,” Justice said.

There are several important returners who will serve as the linchpins for the program, both on the court and in the locker room. Guard Emerson Bailey is one of two seniors on the roster, and she is a lights out shooter, capable of driving into the paint or knocking down threes. She is a great outlet for her teammates if the shot clock starts winding down, and can generate her own looks off the bounce.

“She led us in scoring last year and is in line to do the same this year,” Justice said. “She is our best fundamental perimeter defender, which is hard to do when you exert so much energy on the offensive end.”

There are also juniors Rachel Marynik and Chloe Betts, who their coach describes as “polar opposites.”

“Rachel is the short, confident, vocal leader, and Chloe is our overly apologetic, interior scorer and tower of defense,” Justice said.

That combo should shine on the court, with a wicked pick-and-roll pairing that is tough to defend. Betts also brings much-needed height to the roster.

The Rangers want to prioritize smart possessions by limiting turnovers, which was an issue last season, and getting good shots. And while no one is fixating on wins and losses, the hope is to improve on last season’s winless stretch of Tri-Valley League play.

“We want cohesive, team basketball, where girls are on the same page with defensive rotations and offensive spacing,” Justice said. “Last year was great for our girls in regards to playing together and seeing the same things on the court. We hope to take another step along those lines.”