Small numbers and big goals: with fewer returning players than expected, the varsity Lady Rangers basketball team is facing a challenge. The varsity team consists of five core players this year: Chase Vermillion, Maria Turck, Annie Keyes, Olivia Behm, and Carlie Bober. The rest of the team is made up of players that swing up from JV.

This year’s season looks a little different for the program. A small roster means fewer subs, longer minutes, and a big emphasis on leadership and teamwork. Senior post Vermillion has a goal “to work well together and make it to divisionals and to have fun my last year with all my teammates!” She is looking forward to “playing with all my friends and improving on a personal level, and the overnight trips” Vermillion who plans on playing college basketball hopes to “be a good leader for my team”

Junior guard Turck shares a similar goal and says she wants “to make everyone on the team better and help guide my team to divisionals.” For the upcoming season Turck is excited for the “tournaments, season games, and hopefully divisionals.” Turck is a strong player in the program and brings a lot of knowledge and skills to the team.

The girls first game was against Miles city, they lost 81-32. Turck was out with an ankle injury, Vermillion and Keyes had to step up, being they were the only three returning full time varsity players. With the new crew of players there is diversity in skill levels and the team is working to adjust and grow more confidently in their positions.

Over the 19th-20th of December both the girls and boys team are headed to Hamilton to play in the tip off tournament. The girls are determined to work hard and go all out for the weekend. Sophomore Zoey Axtell said, “Our team is learning how to work together. Even though we only have three returning varsity players, we will try our best to make it to divisionals.”