By Chris Parker
Thomas Jefferson girls basketball improved from one win two years ago to seven wins last year in the first year under head coach Traci Walker.
Captains Nico Carlson (senior) and Gabbi Hiebert (junior) will look to lead this year’s version of the Lady Cavaliers to even more wins. The team selected this duo to lead as captains.
“Our captains this year will be Gabbi Hiebert and Nico Carlson,” Walker said. “Both girls are great teammates on and off the court. They are students of the game and understand the game very well. Their teammates trust their judgement, and feedback. This decision was hands down the easiest to make.”
Hiebert along with Lannah Grigg will be expected to shoulder a lot of the scoring responsibility.
“Our team scoring leaders this year will be Gabbi Hiebert and Lannah Grigg,” Walker said. “Gabbi Hiebert is a diverse player. She is able to pull up and shoot and three, she can drive, and she has a nice jump shot. Lannah Grigg dominates in the paint. She is tall, physical, and can jump. Lannah’s ability to jump and grab rebounds is astonishing.”
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Junior Sarah Mueller and sophomore Presley Long also return to the lineup.
“Sarah is a go-getter. She is the player that is great with steals that transfer into easy layups. Sarah has played basketball for many years, and she is determined to continue to improve her craft,” Walker said. “Presley Long will be returning. Last year she missed most of the season due to an extensive injury. Presley is an amazing shooter that I am excited to see take off this season. She is back stronger and determine to make her mark on the court this season.”
The team only lost one senior, so the returning experience will carry Thomas Jefferson.
“The biggest strength of our team is that we only loss one senior, so our team is full of returners,” Walker said. “My girls are more determined than ever to have the best season in school’s history.”
Thomas Jefferson opens the season on Nov. 21 at Exeter.
“I want my girls to always be viewed as great competitors,” Walker said. “There is nothing more satisfying than seeing my girls transfer what we learned in practice into game day. It is important that my girls know that they are loved whether we win or lose, and their effort is always rewarded.”
