After winning 9 out of 11 games that they played last year, Marshfield’s boys basketball team had set the bar for this year.
They’re looking good so far after starting the 2021-2022 season by winning both games at the jamboree on Tuesday, Nov. 16. They only lost by 3 points in the last quarter against Fair Grove. Against Central, they won two out three quarters and tied in the other quarter.
The team had a lot of seniors last year, so this season’s team has a lot of varsity newcomers such as Luke Cochran as a move-in, Joe Harles, Jackson Gardner, Merrick Dennis, and Tegan Curley. Returning players are Peyton McBride, Owen Curley, Isaac Brown and Zack Mings.
This season, like every season, started by setting goals.
¨I feel like our guys did a good job on setting realistic goals and meeting them throughout the year,” said Adam Carpenter, head coach. “Everyone has shown a difference and has gotten stronger. Our team had last year to develop physically. For example, Zack has spent a lot of time in the gym and he looks like a different player right now.”
Mings said, “It might be too early to tell how we have grown but everyone seems to be motivated. Last year’s district title is still fresh on our minds after losing the game in overtime.”
Returning player McBride’s favorite thing about being on the team is the family atmosphere of the team this year.
“We all love coming into practice because we love the people.”
The girls team is not to be outdone. After a good season last year and making it to districts like the boys.
“I do think the girls being able to get to that twenty-one mark then just having a successful season all the way through and being constant is our biggest success last year,” said head coach Katie Pritchard.
The girls team has started the 2021-2022 season off with a good 2 wins at the jamboree on Tuesday, Nov. 16 against Fair Grove and Waynesville.
The team put in a lot of work postseason and it is going to pay off. Like the boys, this year they have a lot of varsity newcomers and will be at a different pace. They are going to be young, but it will be used as an advantage.
“This year we have some more height and we are going to take advantage of that,” said Pritchard.
As the only senior player, Alaura Padgett’s favorite thing about being a Lady Jay is how close the girls have become. These girls push her every day and they all truly care about one another’s success.
Marshfield girls travel to play Conway on Monday, November, 22.
Marshfield boys plays their first game at home against Conway on Tuesday, Nov. 23.