Girls’ basketball takes the court
After the Slicer girls’ basketball have won Sectionals two years in a row and have a total of 11 Sectional championships in total, and now they are ready to take on the 2021-2022 season and keep the winning streak going. These girls have worked hard to prepare for their upcoming games, and Slicer coaches have been right by their side the entire time.
Head Coach
Name- Coach Sarah DeShone
How long you played- I’ve been in the gym since I was in the playpen. I played high school at Jimtown High School and played college at Ferris State University. I also played professionally in Denmark.
Why you coach– I love teaching the game of basketball and working on life skills through the sport.
How long have you been coaching– I have been coaching since 2015, making this my seventh year.
Quote you live by– “Never Give Up.”
Biggest goal for your team this season– To grow personally and always give our best individually and as a team every day.
Note to your players– Did you win today?
Assistant Coach
Name– Coach Christian Porter
Years Coaching- Eight years at the high school level- five years with boys, three years girls
How long did you play– I’ve played my whole life and was a three years letter winner in high school
Why do you coach– I never got the opportunity to play after high school, but at 20 years old, I was given the chance at a boys’ varsity assistant position at LaCrosse High School. I’ve stuck with it since. I’ve seen and been part of a lot of cool stuff in a short amount of time.
How long have you been coaching– Two years at LPHS and eight total
Biggest goal for your team this season– Be better than you were last year, a week ago, a day ago, an hour, a minute ago. Do whatever it is better than you did the time before.
Note to players– High school basketball in Indiana is unlike anything else you can experience. It is a blessing and privilege to play. It will teach what hard work really is if you allow it to, but that is on you. You get what you put into it. Go out and do something special that you will never forget.
Players
Name- Aydin Shreves
# of years playing- 8
Basketball player you look up to- Coach Z
Game highlight- St. Joe, last steal to assist for the W
Why do you play basketball- The game and get to play with the people I love.
Quote you live by- “Everything happens for a reason.”
Biggest goal for yourself this season- Have an unforgettable last year.
Name- Ella Dubbs
# of years playing- 10
Why do you play basketball- I play basketball because it satisfies my competitive urge to make everything a competition.
Quote you live by- “Keep the ball rolling.”
Biggest goal for yourself this season- Have fun and spread positive energy
Name- Isabella Schreeg
# of years playing- 8
Basketball player you look up to- Coach Z
Game highlight- Winning Sectionals
Why do you play basketball- I enjoy it and love my teammates.
Biggest goal for yourself this season- Win another Sectional game.
Name- Abby Allen
# of years playing- 8
Basketball player you look up to- Coach Z
Game highlight- Winning Sectionals
Why do you play basketball- I enjoy being around my teammates and being competitive.
Quote you live by- “Your only limit is your mind.”
Biggest goal for yourself this season- Winning Sectionals for the third year in a row
Name- Desiree Shelton
# of years playing- 9
Basketball player you look up to- Coach Z
Game highlight- Winning Sectionals
Why do you play basketball- My teammates, memories, and because I love the sport.
Quote you live by- “Never give up!”
Biggest goal for yourself this season- To grow as a player, teammate, and person.
Name- Sydney Hill
# of years playing- 7
Basketball player you look up to- Candace Parker & Paisley Winkelle Harding
Game highlight- Taking a charge vs. Elkhart and making a reverse layup vs. Portage.
Why do you play basketball- It keeps me going, and I just love to play. It’s my passion and part of who I am. It’s taught me a lot about who I am and who I could be.
Quote you live by- Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Biggest goal for yourself this season- My goal is to be the best teammate that I can be on and off the court while performing the best that I can.
Name- Miya Simmons
# of years playing- 11
Basketball player you look up to- Skylar Diggins
Game highlight- Winning Sectionals
Why do you play basketball- It puts me in a good mood, and I love constantly working to get better and competing.
Biggest goal for yourself this season- Stay focused and improve my overall play. Keep calm under pressure.
Name- Abbey Schreeg
# of years playing- 6
Basketball player you look up to- Coach Z
Game highlight- When we were at a tournament and I scored a 3 at the end to tie the game.
Why do you play basketball- Everything about it and the adrenaline rush.
Quote you live by- “You can’t win unless you learn to lose.”
Biggest goal for yourself this season- Learn my role and be a good teammate
Name- Taylor Reaves
# of years playing- 7
Basketball player you look up to- Coach Z
Game highlight- Game winning buzzer beater 3 pointer last year
Why do you play basketball- Have fun, make my teammates better, and myself improving and growing not only on the court but off as well
Quote you live by- “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.”- Michael Jordan
Biggest goal for yourself this season- Improve my mindset and to help my teammates have a good season
Name- Kennedy Riley
# of years playing- 8
Basketball player you look up to- Paige Bueckers
Game highlight- When I got an and-1 in summer basketball
Why do you play basketball- It’s something I really enjoy, and it can teach me new things. It’s always interesting, and makes me a better person.
Quote you live by- “Winners are not people who never fail, but people who never quit.”
Biggest goal for yourself this season- To be more confident in myself
Name- Mia Kaiser
# of years playing- 10
Basketball player you look up to- Lauren Jackson
Game highlight- Freshman year Portage game I had many rebound put backs, and we ended up winning.
Why do you play basketball- Everyone always says they fell in love with their sport at such a young age, and it’s very true. The first basketball hoop I ever had was a Little Tike one, and it had a white backboard, blue post, red rim, and red base. The ball was a thin rubber blue ball and was my favorite thing ever. Basketball is a team sport but also an individual sport. It challenges you every way possible and is my biggest motivation. It is my favorite sport and will always be.
Quote you live by- Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as for the Lord.”
Biggest goal for yourself this season- Get varsity time regularly.
Name- Lauren Poe
# of years playing- 8
Basketball player you look up to- Coach Z
Game highlight- When Taylor Reaves hit the game winning shot
Why do you play basketball- I play because I love my teammates and love the atmosphere.
Quote you live by- “Difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations.”
Biggest goal for yourself this season- To always show up for my team and give 100% all the time