The Varsity Girls Basketball team’s season has started with their first practices beginning the week of Nov. 6.

Yet, even while starting early, the team had limited practices with the entire team due to conflicts with the fall musical and fall sports. These preseason workouts included HPC sessions and biweekly morning practices to prepare for the upcoming season.

“HPC sessions really helped the team members that weren’t in a fall sport to train for the intensity of the season,” sophomore Anyiah Calhoun said.

In terms of the roster, the team will have a significant number of returning varsity players, including four of the previous starters from last year. This season, the team consists of five seniors, three juniors, five sophomores, and one freshman.

According to the head coach of varsity girls’ basketball, Darryn Sandler, one of the team’s greatest qualities in previous years has been their chemistry and how well they gel off the court.

“You have to form that chemistry on and off the court, but I think it’s easier when you have that foundation from the previous year,” Sandler said.

With 11 returning players, the team has a good foundation to build on from last year. The team was undefeated in counter games last year with a record of 6-0. However, the Hornets fell short in a game against Episcopal High School in the semi-finals during the Southwest Preparatory Conference Championships. They finished in third place after a win over The Kinkaid School.

“A big difference this year would be seniors being gone that were a big piece to the team, but I think some younger girls this year that are really stepping up,” junior Sibelle Zambie said.