With a home jamboree recently being played in late November, the Winside girls basketball team of 10 players will look to play for each other every step of the way.
Entering year number seven leading the Winside girls, Devin Gnat said it's been a busy offseason leading up to this point.
"Over the summer (we) competed in the Norfolk Summer League, Tekamah-Herman day camp and Concordia University (NE) day camp," said Gnat. "Got seven days of conditioning before the start of practices (Nov. 17)."
Austin Buss will be assisting coach Gnat.
Jerzi Carlson will be the lone senior on the team this year.
Coach Gnat highlighted what the team has been working on during week one of practices.
"Defense, rebounding, shooting, dribbling, offensive sets, press and press break."
Team goals being set by the coaches include scoring 45 points per game while allowing 40 points, keeping turnovers under 20 per game, rebounding the ball 35 times per game, a team free throw percentage of greater than 60% and not allowing an opposing player to score over 20 points.
The two and three-guard positions will need to be filled due to losses on the team.
Coach Gnat went through a list of the top returners for the Winside girls basketball team.
Hadleigh Schutt - "Step up even more as a leader and lead by more than just scoring. Is the number one ball handler, need to keep poise and confidence and will be a strong rebounding presence."
Ellie Topp - "Continue a strong leadership role, a large part of the physical/mental toughness level of our team, need 10-12 pts a game offensively and strong rebounding presence."
Jerzi Carlson - "Take more of a leadership role, be willing to run point guard spot more often, look to score more and is a strong defensive player."
Coach Gnat is also excited about freshman Aftyn Schutt who is coming off a successful volleyball season.
Junior Hadleigh Schutt will play the point guard position this season for the Wildcats and first picked up the sport back in third grade.
"In the offseason I focused on footwork, ball handling and getting up shots," said Hadleigh Schutt. "As a team we’ve been working on shooting, ball handling and defense."
Hadleigh Schutt is also learning to becoming a better leader while working hard and helping her teammates on getting better.
The Winside girls basketball team played in several close games and came out on the losing end. The group will be working towards turning those into wins.
"We are also working on higher free throw percentages and limiting turnovers," said Hadleigh Schutt.
Hadleigh Schutt is exited to get the season going and show fans what they're capable of.
"We appreciate our fans," said Hadleigh Schutt. "Thank you for always showing up and supporting us."
The Winside girls basketball team is coming off a 7-18 season.
Coach Gnat would like to see improvements in turnovers, free throw percentage and playing fast and game speed all the time.
A home jamboree with Tekamah-Herman was held on Nov. 25.
Dec. 5 will mark the first regular season game for the Wildcats traveling to Wynot with their boys team at 6/8 p.m.
"We need to get physically and mentally ready for a fast and physical game where there will be ups and downs," said Gnat.
The Winside girls and boys basketball teams will be debuted at home on Dec. 11 against Homer at 6/8 p.m.
"We are a small team but we have a solid group of girls who have had a good amount of experience with varsity ball," said Gnat. "We had eight games last year that we lost by 14 points or less. The girls are working hard to close the gap and come away with some more wins."
