By Kristin Frank – Sports Editor

The Law girls basketball team strived for four months to qualify for the state tournament at the end of the season.

In the season’s final week, the team’s hard work paid off.

Law’s 5-15 record earned the team the 31st seed in the Class L state tournament. They fell to second-ranked Hand in the first round.

“To prepare ourselves for states this year we conditioned well and made sure we all worked together to have a successful season,” sophomore Pam Ellison said. “We are a young team but we are all willing to work together and go through the ups and downs.”

Some of the key players on this year’s basketball team were underclassmen. The sophomores included Fallon Andriolas, Samara Thacker, Ellison, and Cali Jolley.

Head coach Mr. Young said that the team also gained support from junior Colleen Goodwin and seniors Melissa Chodziutko and Kennedy Kopazna.

“Everyone contributed by working hard and practicing everyday,” Young said.

The seniors this year have been playing with each other for the past four years. They hope to leave an impact on the rest of the team.

“A piece of advice I can leave for all returning players is to goals for yourself and work the hardest you can to reach those goals because the season is not as long as it seems, Kopazna said. “All four years will go by quicker than you think.”

Many of the underclassmen are expected to have a breakout season next year.

“Next season I think the juniors will have a great year specifically Samira, Cali, and Fallon,” senior Maggie Sullivan said. “As well as our incoming seniors like Colleen and Olivia. They all have so much potential and I can’t wait to see what they put into next year’s season.”

The captains for next year’s team are Taylor Haase, Thacker, and Goodwin.

“I contribute to my team by being captain on and off the court and being a leader,” Thacker said. “Also by being a point guard and communicating on the court and making the right passes when taking the ball up the court.”

Andriolas was named Second Team All-SCC at the end of the season.

“I’m honored to have been chosen to be part of the All SCC second team,” Andriola said. “I practiced a lot and worked hard during the regular season and off season.”

The girls knew they had to prepare themselves for states when they snuck into a spot in the tournament.

“Defense wins games for us it is not just shooting,” Ellison said. “Defense is a big part of the game as well as transitioning and having our hands up the whole time helps us as a team to run the ball.”

Young described the season as very challenging, but said there were many great memories and more opportunities ahead.

His players were also sad to see the season end.

“The thing that I will miss the most about Law basketball is spending time with all my teammates everyday and having fun with each other while still managing to work hard in practice and games,” Kopazna said.