By Hayden Swope
Rylie Whitfield of McPherson has been putting in the work in multiple sports, and as basketball season arrives, she’s putting all that preparation out on the court.
“Basketball shape is by far the hardest to get in out of my three sports,” Whitfield said. “Going on runs and getting shots up is how I have been preparing. This upcoming season I am also going to continue working on my leadership and my voice on the court; I think holding each other to a higher standard is very important for our success as a team.”
After a challenging season last year, Whitfield knows this year will be different as everyone has started to settle into new positions.
“This last season we were very young and simply inexperienced,” Whitfield said. “A goal I think we can have as a team is a better record than the last, along with fewer turnovers in the early part of the season. I also think that having a new coach last year was a big adjustment for us, and obviously it took time for Coach Kinnamon to learn how we play and put people in the correct roles.”
Whitfield’s excitement for the season comes not just from the game, but also from playing with teammates she loves.
“When you love the people you play with, it makes the season so much more fun,” Whitfield said. “I’m super excited to see what we can do as a team, as well as what my teammates and I can do individually.”
