The Juanita girls basketball program held their annual Hoop Retreat for all lady Rebels from 4th Grade to varsity on Nov. 17 at the Juanita High Fieldhouse.

The varsity and junior varsity players each “adopted” one to three of the younger select players and mentored them throughout the day. The event started off with the younger select players in the stands where they were able to watch head coach Sam Lee and his staff run an intensive one-hour practice of the varsity and junior varsity players.

They were able to grasp the idea of a “program” being a group of teams all building towards the same goal by emphasizing the things the coach of the top team teaches. During lunch, the varsity and junior varsity players sat the girls down in a team circle and shared their wisdom from being in the program themselves since 5th grade. They talked about being a good teammate, about the “family” of Lady Rebel Hoops and how they are all sisters as a result of their desire to excel at hoops.

There were stories of bad grades that kept some of them off-track and how they were able to get their grades back in place by leaning on their “Hoop Sisters” who excelled in those, subjects and letting them tutor them back to A’s and B’s.

There were honest talks about the athletic, educational and time commitment that has to be made to play at their level. There were some young eyes opened at the tales of struggle and success from the older players.

More team building drills were given by varsity assistant coach Krystal Robinson and junior varsity coach Jay Gahan who had a fun lineup drill that showed some new things about the other players in the squads. There were also full-court scrimmages that showed how talented and aggressive this year’s edition of Juanita Lady Hoops is.

The Juanita Select organization, run by Sam Adams handed out new sweatshirts, T-Shirts, socks and new baden red/white/blue balls with each select player’s name embossed on them.

It was a terrific day for the sisterhood of the gym at Juanita. From select 4th graders to seniors on varsity there was a feeling of pride from all for every player in the program, for the select organizations leadership, and for Lee and his staff.