The Carson City-Crystal girls basketball team is gearing up for a significant season as they prepare to restart their program after canceling last year’s varsity season due to low player numbers. Under the leadership of new head coach Deo Winsor, the team is optimistic about rebuilding and fostering a competitive spirit among its young athletes.
A Fresh Start with New Leadership
This year, the Eagles will face the challenge of integrating a squad composed entirely of underclassmen. Winsor, who has a decade of coaching experience at various levels, including junior high and Little League basketball, aims to instill a culture of hard work and enthusiasm. “They enjoy playing basketball,” Winsor noted. “The not-so-good thing is they don’t have a lot of experience. With six freshmen, we’re going to take some lumps, but they all have good attitudes and they all work hard.”
Senior Cailyn Zemla echoed the sentiment of excitement and determination among her teammates. “We just want to try and improve the program a lot this year,” she stated. Zemla, the lone senior on the team, is stepping into a leadership role, hoping to support her younger teammates through this transition.
Winsor’s journey to head coach began when he was approached by Kaleb Farnham, principal and athletic director at Carson City-Crystal High School. “I had so much fun with the third and fourth graders that it really got the coaching juices flowing again,” Winsor explained. His passion for the game, combined with a desire to create stability for the girls, led him to accept the challenge of reviving the varsity program.
Building a Competitive Team
The Eagles will benefit from the return of four players who previously participated on a junior varsity schedule last season. Winsor emphasized the importance of this experience, stating, “There’s definitely going to be some benefits to that. The three sophomores we had and the one senior are the core of our group. They’re the leaders of this group and they’ve been bringing these girls along.”
Zemla aims to create an atmosphere of trust and collaboration within the team. “I want to try and be someone they’re not scared of,” she said, expressing her commitment to fostering open communication. Winsor praised Zemla’s leadership style, noting that while she may not be the most vocal player, she leads by example.
The upcoming season is expected to present challenges, particularly due to the lack of experience among the players. Winsor indicated that adapting to the intensity of varsity competition will be crucial. “There’s no doubt about it,” he acknowledged. “We’ve got a couple different drills that are really intense because that’s the type of intensity we have to have for a whole game.”
Zemla recognized the disparity in experience levels, noting that they will face older and more seasoned teams. “I think understanding the reality of what we’re up against is going to be challenging,” she said. Despite these hurdles, the Eagles are enthusiastic about their potential for growth.
As the season unfolds, Winsor’s primary expectation is to see consistent improvement. “I expect to see improvement throughout the season,” he stated. The team has already begun tracking their progress in practice, with noticeable advancements in skills such as free throws. “I know we’re improving as a team, and we’re resetting a program,” Winsor added.
The Eagles are ready to embark on this new journey, looking forward to the experiences and lessons that lie ahead. Regardless of their win-loss record at the end of the season, the focus remains on building a positive team culture and enhancing their skills.
“I think that we’re all really nervous, which is to be expected,” Zemla admitted. “I also think they’re all really excited and want to actually try and do some good things for us this year.”
Winsor concluded with a vision for the season: “I want us to play with a good team atmosphere. That’s going to be the biggest thing. I think that we’re going to be a rough program at the beginning, but I think by the end of the season, people are going to be impressed with what we’re going to do.”
