Maidens end season working hard

    Although the Maidens basketball team didn’t have the record this season they may have wanted, they played their hearts out and never gave up. Head Coach Bryan Branch said despite the record he was pleased with the season.
    “I told the girls I may have had teams that had better records, but none were more enjoyable to coach than these girls. They came to practice everyday with great attitudes and worked as hard as they could to get better every day,” he said. “In every game they left everything on the court.”
    Branch said officials and opposing coaches would tell him after games the Maidens played harder than opposing teams despite winning games. He said officials commented on how impressed they were at how hard the team competed and how hard they played.
    “The officials would also mention how polite and respectful the players were and to me as a coach, there is no bigger compliment,” he said. “So I am very proud to be the coach of this team, I don't care what the record states. I would take these young ladies any day of the week and I look forward to having almost all of them back next year.”
    He said several freshman on the team had to grow up fast, such as Chelsea Rohrman and Reyna Gonzalez. “Chelsea’s development from the beginning to the end of the season was probably the biggest, and Reyna was forced to step up and play a big role for us,” he said.
    His two leaders were Sierra Salazar and Alexis Mojica. Salazar’s penchant for stealing balls went to Mojica as well, and they were proof of big things coming in small packages. “Sierra was without a doubt the heart and soul of this team, she was an exemplary leader in her effort but more importantly her attitude.” Branch went on to say she served as a mentor to the younger girls and was extremely positive with her teammates. “Alexis is also a very vocal leader and very positive. What separated her was the complete 100% effort in everything she did, I have never had a kid compete as hard as Alexis,” he said.
    He added that both leaders had injuries throughout district play and were adamant about not missing games and their guts and determination will always have his utmost respect.
    The Ganado Maidens ended their basketball season tied with the Louise Hornets for fifth place with a record of 0-8.