After failing to make the state tournament last year, the Westside varsity girl’s basketball team is gearing up for another run. The road will be tough because the team lost key contributors Mallory Thompson, Shannon Pickering, Marie Matthews, and Rachel Kaup.

However the team also returns many key players. Jay Bridgeman, a varsity player since her freshman year, Miranda Thacker and Regan Johnson will be key cogs to the girls basketball lineup that returns 11 players from the expanded district roster.

“We are very excited for the season,” varsity head coach Steve Clark said. We have very high expectations to be one of the best teams in the state.”

To prepare for the season, the team has been working out throughout the Fall.

“Fall workouts have been amazing, between conditioning, open gyms, and individual skill workouts, along with varsity fall league,” Clark said. “Girls have been extremely reliable in their skill workouts and conditioning along with competing against each other daily.”

The team will get their chance to show off what they have on Saturday, Nov. 29, with an exhibition against Ralston at Westside High School. The team will have 12 players who will be able to contribute to the games.

The actual season starts Dec. 4 against Lincoln Northeast, at Lincoln Northeast. Check out Westside Wired for LiveStreams, recaps, and coverage of the girls basketball team all season.