With the return of girls’ basketball, Coach Thomas and the squad have high hopes for season.
by Andrew Briss
Thomas Jefferson embraces a new batch of winter sports, one of which includes the Lady Spartans basketball team. The girls finished last years season 4 – 4 in the Denver Prep Division and made it to the playoffs, but sadly lost in the first round. Tthe Spartans were 5 – 13 overall in regular league play.
The team has a number of experienced returning players such as Sabrina Harris and Andrea Qualls. Emily Cordes, a Junior Lady Spartan and key element on the court, may be returning after critical knee surgery. Cordes said, “I am looking forward to playing this year. I have not been to practice yet because I get cleared for athletics in December.” Cordes tore her ACL last year during an indoor soccer game and had the surgery April 17th, 2008 and had her ACL replaced and is feeling better than ever. One of the freshmen talents for TJ is Ashley Barry. Barry is a Hamilton alumni and has a good chance of starting for varsity this year because of her dominant presence on the court.
Practices have been intense to help get the girls into shape and into the right mindset for this season. Head Coach Steve Thomas said, “We are trying to push the girls this year and improve on specific traits and skills to go as far as we can this year.” The Lady Spartans have never made it to state, and have never advanced past the second round of playoffs, yet this year look for more quality wins, which should draw a good playoff seed at home in the playoffs. Thomas stated, “I am very excited because of our talent this year. We are considered a transition team and we are light on our feet and young and fresh this year.”
Qualls commented on the the upcoming year and said, “With our new talent this year we are looking for more wins and better communication on and off the court.”
Harris agreed and stated, “We are looking strong with the new talent and also the returning talent is looking very improved and we are excited for this season.”
Competition is tough this year including star teams like East, George Washington, and Montbello. The girl’s first game is against Kent Denver at TJ on the 5th of December. “Look for the girls to come out strong this year. We have a lot of fresh legs that are full of potential," said Thomas.
