Editor’s note: Rachael Chambers coaches JV girls basketball team together with Jennifer Gross.

Two captains from either team approach the refs for the coin toss.  The opposing team looks down to shake the hands of the Williston players.  You’d think our JV girls basketball team would be intimidated by players twice their size.  That just means they have a challenge—and they love a challenge.  From the toss to the sound of the buzzer, the Williston girls JV basketball team work hard to keep the ball in their possession.  Every rebound is fought for.  These girls work just as hard as any varsity team, if not harder.  They love the sport and have so much respect for each other.

Our team is not of big stature, but of big heart.  At practice they laugh and learn.  The girls take that jovial attitude to game day and have fun out of the boards.  Not every game is a victory in points, but every game is a victory in attitude and self-respect.  Not every day do you hear a teammate say “I don’t care what the score is, I still feel like we’re winning!”

The team consists of all experience levels.  As a coach, I can see every single one of the girls grow in confidence and skill.  They help each other advance in the game and rely on each other to take on the (most of the time bigger) team.  These young ladies know how to exhaust an opponent.  Other coaches have commented on their ability to fight till then end of the game no matter what the score.

“They are so feisty” and “My girls were so surprised by how quick your team is” are comments Coach Gross and I hear almost every game.

I feel more than lucky to coach this team.  I am even luckier to work with Coach Gross, who comments between plays on how proud she is of the team.  Just don’t stand too close—she tends to hit the closest person out of excitement.  Wear shoulder pads.

JV girls basketball knows how to have fun while pushing themselves.  You will often hear laughter and good conversation on the bus to and from a game. These ladies form an amazing team that truly exemplify purpose, passion, and most definitely integrity.