By Marie Kennedy The Mountain Times
The Welches Middle School girls’ basketball team has been making a name for itself this season, lighting up the court with skill, determination, and teamwork. Despite being the smallest middle school in the district and regularly facing teams with significantly larger student populations, the Welches girls have more than held their own. Their resilience and competitive spirit have made for an interesting and exciting season.
The team is composed of nine dedicated players — three eighth graders, three seventh graders, and three sixth graders — blending experience with fresh talent. This balanced mix has allowed them to develop strong chemistry on the court, with older players leading by example and younger athletes stepping up to contribute.
Head coach Todd Dejong has been impressed with the team’s technical skills and overall gameplay. “We’re seeing lots of fast breaks, quick layups. They’re doing a great job of all that, and their pivoting has really improved,” he said. “They’re moving well when they catch the ball, and that’s been great to see.”
He continued, “It’s been a tough season with illnesses and injuries, but they’ve continued to push through and play hard.”
Assistant coach Mel Mutterspaugh echoed Dejong’s praise, emphasizing the team’s dedication. “They work so hard in practice and give it everything they’ve got in games,” Mutterspaugh said. “It is a lot of fun, watching these girls play. Their energy and determination are contagious.”
By the time this story is published, the middle school basketball season will have wrapped up for the year, but the future looks bright for Welches basketball. While the eighth graders will move on to play at the high school level, a fresh wave of players will step up to carry on the team’s legacy. Next season promises to be just as exciting, with fast-paced action and plenty of heart. If you haven’t been to a game yet, it’s worth checking out — these girls play with intensity, skill, and a passion that makes every game thrilling to watch. Never a dull moment — these girls are serious.