Following a heartbreaking exit from the playoffs last year, the Diamond Bar High School girls basketball team is entering their season with high hopes of redemption.
After graduating five seniors last year, the team has undergone intense reconstruction during the offseason to compensate for their deficit.
“We practiced a lot and played a lot of games,” junior captain and point guard Erika Liang said via Instagram. “Our offseason schedule is almost just as strict as our in-season schedule with weight room, track and [time on the court].”
This season, the team’s starting lineup will consist of Liang, senior shooting guard and captain Morgan Seshiki, junior small forward Cali Azcuenaga, junior power forward Jalyn Winston and senior center Carissa Yuan.
The Brahmas currently boast an 9-2 overall record and a 1-0 League record with victories over Vista Murrieta, 64-50, Cajon, 71-34 and Rowland, 80-47. The team credits their dominance on the court to their balanced presence on both sides of the ball.
“Our strengths are our ability to pressure the opposite team on defense,” Seshiki said. “Our ball movement [on offense] is also hard to defend.”
Despite these strengths, the team still sees room for improvement in certain aspects of their gameplay such as pacing, securing rebounds and maintaining a positive attitude on the court in spite of adversity.
“I think being able to start off aggressive will really set the tempo for the rest of the game,” Seshiki said.
To combat these weaknesses, the team practices six times a week and places emphasis on strength training and competitive drills that replicate in-game scenarios.
As a result of these efforts, the team hopes to win possession of the Hacienda League Championship title and make a deep run in the CIF playoffs.
Tensions will be high for the rivalry matchup against Walnut which will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 20.
