ABOVE: Front row, from left: Ida Rohman, Emma Geldart, Addie Wohlhuter, Taylor Hughes, Avery Sanders, Courtney Anderson. Back row, from left: Stella Rohman, Bailey Larson, Jailey Brauer, Emily Anderson, Maddie Carlson, Emily Schettler, Ivy Olson

TRIMONT — The Martin County West Mavericks girls basketball team is set for another year, hoping to build on the success of a 19-7 season in 2023-2024.

The team, ripe with experience, is expected to continue its winning ways this season. Now 3-0, they are certainly on the right track so far.

With only two players graduating, the Mavericks continue to push and establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the Tomahawk-Valley Conference, Valley Division.

“It comes down to working hard,” said head girls basketball coach Cliff Anderson. “Having some heart here just to try to stay competitive in every game and have a chance late … to win a ball game and just continue to work hard.”

Coach Anderson has high expectations for his squad this year, stating that despite a loss to Springfield in the subsection semifinals last season, they plan to continue to build after losing only two starters and returning 12 players overall for this season.

The Mavericks showcase a strong shooting core in Courtney Anderson, Maddie Carlson, Emily Schettler and Emily Anderson, who thus far have proven to be problematic for the defenses they have faced.

Emily Anderson, now a senior, is coming off a season where she set a single-game scoring record of 37 points and secured the No. 4 slot in scoring in MCW girls basketball history with a total of 1,434 points. Last season saw her average 20.2 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.

With the four players putting up solid offensive numbers, the Mavericks have a chance to build on the success of last year with the support of their defensive play. The team’s ability to control the pace of play has proven crucial to their success on the scoreboard as they continue to develop this year.

The strategy this season is to continue to play with the passion they had last year and battle to the final moments of every game. This will allow the Mavericks to leave everything on the court and quell the what-if question after a loss.

Coach Anderson cited a dedication to the game that has made the Mavericks successful and has every intention of building off of last season’s performance and aim for a banner shortly.

“We’re looking forward to the season,” said coach Anderson. “And hope that we can be playing our best basketball come the end of the season for the playoff run.”