LM Girls’ Basketball left last season with something to prove. As the clock hit zero, a buzzer sounded out the beep of defeat throughout the gym. They fell short to Ridley, just one win away from making the Districts playoffs. A disappointing end to a season filled with such promise. No one is focusing on that this year. Instead, all eyes are looking forward to the prize. Led by Coach Erin Laney, the girls aren’t settling for anything less than playoffs this year.
As soon as LM opened in September, you could find players in the gym, shooting before school, lifting in the weight room, or getting reps in during lunch. “Last year it was just me and, like, maybe one other girl going in in the morning and shooting. And now we have to rotate on the gun because there’s so many girls,” Megan Walters ’25 described. Walters has grown up in the team, working her way up from the freshman team to being committed to play basketball for Grinnell College. Among the team, there’s a level of commitment that wasn’t there before. With the combined experience of the returners and incoming underclassmen, the varsity team is looking forward to making an impact this year. Natalia Kasmer ’28 and Ella Liberatoscioli ’28 are expected to complement the existing talent and drive the team to the success they expect.
What do they expect? Playoffs. LMGB is striving to be a playoff team and nothing less. “Our expectations are really high. So because we have so many returning quality players and because we’ve brought in a group of really talented underclassmen, the expectation certainly is districts,” says Coach Erin Laney. Coach Laney teaches history at LM who is going into her sixth year as head coach for the girls’ basketball team. Not an unreasonable goal, but one that will require a near perfect season and a lot of hard work. Laney explained her hope that coming so close last year will inspire everyone to push themselves in every moment of every game. “To not have that Cinderella story has made them hungrier for this year. And I think we’re gonna see that. Like we already see it in the culture, we see it in the commitment.”
Enhancing the already strong culture of the team is going to have a positive impact on the gameplay on the court. One person cannot alone shift the game, “it’s everyone collectively,” according to Walters. The connection between players is another crucial element to the fast paced game. Trust and communication is just as important as talent. The team is a close knit group, constantly together both in and outside of the classroom setting. Organized activities such as the teammates going to St. Joe’s University basketball games, doing community service, and having spirit buddies, contribute to their bond and sense of family. The team also plans to go to Orlando over winter break as a team trip. It’s just a fun environment and team to be a part of both on and off the court.
Overcoming the adversity they face among the sport’s culture at our school is a task the player’s are faced with. The bleachers in Kobe Bryant Gymnasium are almost always emptier compared to the boys’ basketball team. While the girl’s may not have the “Kobe” connection, they are determined to make their own legacy at the school.
The LMGB team is clicking in every possible way. With new additions to the team, a higher sense of commitment and a hunger to win, this team is going to be one to watch out for. As Laney says, “The pay off will be there.” Nothing is going to stop this team as it pursues its mission of success in the playoffs. It’s going to be a remarkable season to witness, if you pay attention.
