APA girls' basketball jumps out to second straight 11-1 start
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This fast start for Arendell Parrott Academy is completely different.
After a 48-28 win against Grace Christian Jan. 22, the girls’ basketball team is 11-1 for the second consecutive season. In 2019-20, APA started 14-1 but finished the year 3-8 including a five-game skid to close the campaign.
Currently, APA is on a 10-game winning streak, including victories in the team’s first two conference games — last year, the Patriots went 0-7 in the EPIC. Sophomore forward Rachel Okonkwo said the team’s mentality has strengthened from last season, one where they lost Virginia Edmondson 10 games into the season with an injury.
“Last year we were always scared, but it’s a big confidence boost to have Virginia back,” Okonkwo said. “We’ve all gotten better too and after not winning a conference game last year, we were pumped up this year because we knew we didn’t want that to happen ever again.”
Before her injury last year, Edmondson averaged 14.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.0 steals and 4.8 assists per game. As Edmondson has been able to make a strong contribution to the team, Patriots coach Kelly Johnson said the team’s depth has also been great.
“I think this is the deepest team I’ve had here,” Johnson said in his fifth year with the Patriots. “We do have talented players and the girls have done a better job working out in the summer. We started off as more of a halfcourt team, but now we’re able to get a lot of points off our press and pushing the ball, taking advantage of opportunities before the defense could get set. I’ve always said the best offense is a layup after a rebound or steal.”
Sophomore point guard Caroline Ouano said the Patriots’ morale and chemistry has been amazing.
“We can’t have intensity without confidence,” Ouano said. “Now that we have that, our gameplay is faster and we’re able to get into grooves. We’re all really good friends in and out of school and it’s definitely helped.”
Johnson said the youth of the team could help them stay in a great position for the future — there are only two seniors on the roster in Edmondson and Emily Sydes.
“We’re still not an old team — we’ve got four sophomores who play a lot, and I think we’ve gotten better and stronger,” Johnson said. “I think we got worn down in conference play last year, but we’ve changed up a few things and feel fresher as a team. My biggest fear with the team wasn’t if we could compete in the conference, it was confidence — they’ve certainly picked that up.”
.
This fast start for Arendell Parrott Academy is completely different.
After a 48-28 win against Grace Christian Jan. 22, the girls’ basketball team is 11-1 for the second consecutive season. In 2019-20, APA started 14-1 but finished the year 3-8 including a five-game skid to close the campaign.
Currently, APA is on a 10-game winning streak, including victories in the team’s first two conference games — last year, the Patriots went 0-7 in the EPIC. Sophomore forward Rachel Okonkwo said the team’s mentality has strengthened from last season, one where they lost Virginia Edmondson 10 games into the season with an injury.
“Last year we were always scared, but it’s a big confidence boost to have Virginia back,” Okonkwo said. “We’ve all gotten better too and after not winning a conference game last year, we were pumped up this year because we knew we didn’t want that to happen ever again.”
Before her injury last year, Edmondson averaged 14.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.0 steals and 4.8 assists per game. As Edmondson has been able to make a strong contribution to the team, Patriots coach Kelly Johnson said the team’s depth has also been great.
“I think this is the deepest team I’ve had here,” Johnson said in his fifth year with the Patriots. “We do have talented players and the girls have done a better job working out in the summer. We started off as more of a halfcourt team, but now we’re able to get a lot of points off our press and pushing the ball, taking advantage of opportunities before the defense could get set. I’ve always said the best offense is a layup after a rebound or steal.”
Sophomore point guard Caroline Ouano said the Patriots’ morale and chemistry has been amazing.
“We can’t have intensity without confidence,” Ouano said. “Now that we have that, our gameplay is faster and we’re able to get into grooves. We’re all really good friends in and out of school and it’s definitely helped.”
Johnson said the youth of the team could help them stay in a great position for the future — there are only two seniors on the roster in Edmondson and Emily Sydes.
“We’re still not an old team — we’ve got four sophomores who play a lot, and I think we’ve gotten better and stronger,” Johnson said. “I think we got worn down in conference play last year, but we’ve changed up a few things and feel fresher as a team. My biggest fear with the team wasn’t if we could compete in the conference, it was confidence — they’ve certainly picked that up.”
