The JV girls’ basketball team faced difficulties throughout the winter, including a COVID-19 outbreak and a plethora of injuries, but overall the players say they had an enjoyable season.

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The team ended with a 1-11 record but, nevertheless, the girls played hard in all 12 games. “I would say that all of my players have stood out in one way or another. Every day someone new stepped up and made a difference on the court,” head coach Laura Darby said.

The team started off their season with a loss to Poolesville, then a decisive victory against Walter Johnson, 65-5.  The girls looked forward to the rest of the season, which they hoped would hold more victories.  However, on Dec. 14, the team was forced to take a 14-day pause in their season due to a COVID-19 outbreak.

After coming back from the hiatus, the team was hit with injuries. In their game against Richard Mongomery, on Jan. 14, the team had four out of the 10 girls  injured, and the game was lost. In their games following the COVID outbreak the girls struggled, but still found joy and love for basketball. “My favorite memory was making my first shot because I doubted myself so much and when I made it, everyone was so happy. That was probably the best memory I’ll ever have. I know I need to be on the team again and I’m going to work hard to hopefully make varsity,” freshman Valeria Kiggundu said.

On Feb. 2, the team faced off against Whitman in their final game of the season. Despite fighting for every second of the game, the girls lost, 59-3. The only points for Wootton came from a free throw by Isabella Davis-Astrada at the end of the second half, and a third-quarter basket by captain Andrea Santos. 

Freshman captain Maddy Mathew and sophomore captain Andrea Santos showed valuable leadership throughout the season and both girls look forward to trying out for the team next year. “My favorite part of the season was probably the practices. I made so many new friends and it was a great experience,” Mathew said. “I will definitely try out again next year.”

The main goal of the entire team was to enjoy playing basketball and have fun. Through practices, games, team dinners and team bonding events, the girls meshed together to work like a well-oiled machine. “The best part of the season was when we all worked together as a team. When we had that moment of ‘wow we can actually do this and we were all having fun, that was the best part,” Kiggundu said.