By Stephanie Gross
Sports Writer

With a new head coach and a new year, the Coppell Cowgirls played their first district game of 2013 over the holiday break.

It was a close game for the Cowgirls but it just was not enough for the girls to win the first conference game of the season.

The Cowgirls took on the Hebron Lady Hawks on Jan 4. It was a close game for Coppell, but the girls fell short, 48-44.

The Cowgirls started their non-conference season with a record of 9-15. This loss to Hebron will mark the team’s first loss in District 5-5A for the season.

During the district season, the Cowgirls will face Hebron as well as every other team they play in district twice

“After our loss to Hebron, we are hoping to split with them in the second round and win,” sophomore post Elena Grijalva said.

This new district shows to be a tougher one for the Cowgirls. While the teams that they have faced in the past might have been smarter on the court, the new teams that Coppell faces in the new district have proven to be much tougher athletically.

“Our competition level has certainly increased,” Grijalva said. “We have to work hard and play smart. Our goal is to make it to playoffs later on in the season and be one of the top four teams.”

The Cowgirls will have to adjust to their new district for the season. Playing hard and working as a team will be important for the team’s ultimate goal to play well in district and eventually make it to the playoffs this season.

“The one thing our team does really well is making comebacks.” Grijalva said. “Our halftime speech and team captains get us pumped up and make us want to work harder during the second half of our games.”

Sophmore gains opportunity, plays on varsity for tournament

By Jena Seidemann
Staff Writer

Many players do not get the opportunity to play alongside Varsity as an underclassman. However, sophomore point-guard Alyssa Ross has earned that opportunity.

Over the break, she attended the Caprock tournament in Lubbock with the Cowgirls varsity basketball team. From that experience, she has learned a great deal about the level of play needed for Varsity.

“It is definitely a step up from JV to varsity in terms of level of play,” Ross said. “It shows how good you actually have to be to play on varsity.”

Her love for basketball began after she was introduced at the age of four. The game was in her blood since her father had played when he was in high school. It was from him that she learned the fundamentals.

Once she signed up with the recreational team, he father coached her and the team. As soon as middle school rolled around, she was the A team point guard both years and helped her team place third place in district one of those years.

In high school, she made JV her freshman year. This year, as a sophomore, she is on JV, but has had opportunities to play alongside Varsity.

Outside of Basketball, she is a social person who loves to spend time with her family and friends, and besides the physical fitness she receives from playing basketball, she has gained much more from the game.

“In terms of attitude, basketball has given me a lot of character,” Ross said. “Because of Basketball, I have more patience.”