Carson City-Crystal High School’s girls basketball team is preparing for a significant revival this season after the cancellation of last year’s varsity program due to low player numbers. Under the leadership of new head coach Deo Winsor, the Eagles are eager to restart their journey in competitive basketball.
This season marks an important transition for the team, which is comprised entirely of underclassmen. Winsor, who has over two decades of coaching experience at various levels, expressed enthusiasm about the challenge ahead. “They enjoy playing basketball,” he said. “The not-so-good thing is they don’t have a lot of experience. With six freshmen, we’re going to take some lumps, but they all have good attitudes and they all work hard.”
Senior Cailyn Zemla is the only upperclassman on the squad and is determined to foster a supportive environment for her younger teammates. “I think we’re all just really excited to play,” Zemla noted. “We just want to try and improve the program a lot this year.”
Winsor’s coaching background includes ten years with junior high basketball and a recent role leading a seventh-grade girls team. His passion for coaching was reignited after working with younger players, and he aims to instill stability in the program. “I decided to do it because in the 2024 season, we got to watch our oldest granddaughter play on the team,” he shared, reflecting on the challenges faced by the program. “I just thought we can’t have this. We have to have some stability for these girls.”
Despite the lack of varsity experience, the team is not completely starting from scratch. Four players return from last year’s junior varsity team, providing some foundational experience as they prepare to face more seasoned competitors. Winsor emphasized the importance of these returning athletes, noting that they will serve as leaders for the new players.
Zemla takes on the role of captain, hoping to guide her teammates through the ups and downs of the season. “I want to create an environment where we can all trust each other and work together,” she said, expressing her commitment to being accessible for her teammates.
The Eagles face a steep learning curve as they compete against older, more experienced teams. Winsor acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating, “There’s no doubt about it. They don’t realize what’s going to come out.” He is implementing intense drills to prepare the players for the rigors of competition, understanding that the transition to varsity level play will be significant.
The excitement is palpable as the team gears up for the season ahead. Winsor aims to focus on improvement rather than immediate wins and losses. “I expect to see improvement throughout the season,” he stated. “We’ve been tracking our free throws, and we’re getting better every week. I know we’re improving as a team and we’re resetting a program.”
As the Eagles embark on their new season, they are eager to embrace the journey ahead. While they acknowledge the nerves that come with such a significant transition, there is a shared optimism about what lies ahead. Zemla captured this sentiment well: “I think that we’re all really nervous, which is to be expected. I also think they’re all really excited and want to actually try and do some good things for us this year.”
Winsor concluded with a clear vision for the team’s culture: “I want us to play with a good team atmosphere. That’s going to be the biggest thing. I think that we’re going to be a rough program at the beginning, but by the end of the season, people are going to be impressed with what we’re going to do.”
As the competition schedule unfolds, the Eagles are ready to take on the challenges of the season, hoping to not only build a strong basketball program but also create lasting memories through teamwork and dedication.
