Junior High Girls Basketball Season Begins
The Heartland Junior High Girls Basketball season is underway with a 2-1 record. Their victories came against Harvard and Superior last week. The loss was to Fillmore Central. There are six eighth graders and four seventh graders participating. Coach Heidi Ruhl provided information about this year’s team.
A strength for this group of girls is found in their quickness. A few players also provide a height advantage. Coach Ruhl noted, “The girls are extremely hard-working and want to get better.” Positive attitudes have marked the team and season so far.
The team will be working on becoming more confident in their decision-making and comfortable in games. “I'd also like each girl to gain confidence in their shooting and look to score when they catch the ball.”
Practices have been challenging with players gone for various reasons, and since the team is small, running through the drills provides the girls with ample conditioning.
Coach Ruhl brings 25 years of coaching experience to the season with this year marking her sixth year coaching at Heartland. “Although I have coached at the high school level, I enjoy seeing the daily growth in skills and confidence that occur at the junior high level. My goal each season is to see the players choose to continue playing in high school. I want them to enjoy the sport and learn the value of working hard, being a good teammate, and enjoy success in the future.”
Serving as the assistant coach this year is Rachael Strong.