By Lily Check

After falling to Princess Anne in the semifinal round of the Class 5 Region A tournament last season, the Salem High School varsity girls’ basketball team, led by head coach Jason Clark, is training hard to jump back onto the court to accomplish even more than they did in past seasons. With the departure of alumna Denniyah Tanner to play at the collegiate level, the team remains focused and is hungry to prove itself.

Prior to last season’s playoff tournament, the team finished the regular season with a 14-7 record, racking up wins against region rivals Landstown, Green Run, and Bayside. As they open the upcoming season with an away game against Kempsville, the players’ mindsets have shifted toward growth and discipline and moved away from a fixed outlook.

“I have grown a lot over this past year,” said senior guard Briseis Estrada, a fourth-year returner and 2024 Second Team All-Region honoree. “I have gained a lot more confidence in myself, and I have changed as a player offensively. I have been attacking more and a lot more aggressive. I am a better offensive player. You need to have confidence in order to have the ability to play.”

Similar to Estrada, the majority of the team gives credit to their family members and coaches for this change in perspective. Senior guard Harmoni Johnson’s motivation is her “siblings, but mostly her sister.”

For senior guard Imani Johnson, her motivation boils down to teamwork and setting a good example. “I look forward to working as a team, motivating my teammates, being a leader, being bright on and off the court, and being a role model for those who want to play,” said Imani Johnson.

Aside from family, the coaching staff, consisting of Clark, assistant coach Ronald Booth, and general manager Markus Mitchell, have positively impacted the team’s development by setting up visits with local trainers, professionals, and college coaches to help them connect with recruiters. Women’s basketball programs at East Carolina University, Old Dominion University, Morgan State University, and Chowan University have already come to watch practices.

While many of the girls have aspirations to play college basketball, many note that school is their top priority. Estrada, for instance, wants to focus on school to “major in business and start [her] own fashion marketing business” later in life.

“If I do not get my school work done, [then] I do not train,” said Imani Johnson, another fourth-year returner. “School comes first, and I let Coach know if I can’t make it to practice. If I can’t make it, then I won’t make it.”

Harmoni Johnson, similar to Imani Johnson, adds that time management is crucial to balancing school with basketball, which she explains is one of the most demanding mental sports due to the requirement of emotional focus to handle pressure.

“When you establish a schedule and you are working on your time management, it helps,” said Harmoni Johnson. “Time management has to be on point. You have schoolwork, then practice, then homework.”

Aside from school and basketball, the girls emphasize that a large part of their team dynamic revolves around the leadership of upperclassmen and the love, friendship, and family that Clark cultivates through team bonding. Senior forward Alaya Monroe-Sutton, a transfer from Deep Creek High School, has already established a close connection with the team by “getting something to eat with them,” for example.

“My teammates are my heart,” said sophomore guard Brittyn Seaton. “I love them, and I have built unique relationships with every single one of them. I appreciate them so much.”

For the majority of the team, basketball is more than a sport: it is a lifestyle, one that players can take away lifelong friendships and lessons from. When asked about what she will take away from her time on the team, sophomore guard Solest Jones didn’t mention the pristine uniforms or countless early morning practices. Instead, she mentioned the concept of accountability.

“I learn to take accountability, and when you have challenges, you need to try your best to push through and keep working to face that challenge,” said Jones. “Especially me being a smaller athlete, I have a bigger challenge than most athletes. Being small may hinder me from being looked at as a good athlete. My teammates show me love, even though they know I am the smallest one out there.”

To witness the results of the team’s consistent preparations and their revitalized mentality in action, come out to their season opener on Dec. 2 at Kempsville, or come to their home opener on Dec. 12 versus Bayside. Tickets will be available to purchase on GoFan.