NHS girls basketball steadily building

The Niwot High School girls basketball team had to reevaluate expectations. A few injuries and departures from last year's starting lineup forced the Cougars to rebuild the team from the ground up.

With seven games under their belt and new lineups being tested, hiccups are to be expected and struggling is an opportunity to learn.

In the first conference competition on Dec. 9, the Cougars fought hard to stay in the game but ultimately lost to Silver Creek High School, 46-35.

Rose Pacheco stole the show with 11 points, but Jiselle Sales and Haddie Adams also added six and seven points, respectively.

Niwot attempted to keep up with Riverdale Ridge High School on Tuesday, Dec. 12, but eventually dropped the game 80-30. Despite the wide margin, individuals on the roster found their groove.

Once again, Pacheco carried the team with 12 points and eight assists. She made six out of eight free throw attempts and put up almost half of the Cougars' total points.

In spite of the recent losses, the Cougars aren't discouraged. "Jiselle Sales is a transfer from Texas, and she has good size," Head Coach Todd Trobaugh said. "That's been a godsend, she's really helped bring some size and strength in the post area. Evelyn Melis has been in the program for three years and she's had to step into the void and help us down low. They've really stepped up and filled the area of our departures."

With a new coaching staff, several players from last season's roster chose not to come out for basketball this season, giving opportunities to some younger players. Nevertheless, frustrations and setbacks are difficult in high-difference games, and Trobaugh actively works to keep discouragement at bay. Even as a coach, sometimes a reframe is needed.

"Evelyn (Melis) reminds me that I need to adjust expectations, and it keeps me even keel," he said. "I've had to adjust my expectations. We expected to have more height, we expected to have a little more experience, and we've had to change our approach and focus. We're trying to become a more defense oriented team and we've had to put pressure on the ball and we want a fast break. We're still learning to do both of those things, but if we're going to be successful the rest of the way, that's going to be the key."

After losing to Riverdale Ridge, the experience from the contest shined in the Dec. 14 game against Severance High School. Sophomore Ella Zechman found herself among the top scorers with 12 points and Pacheco contributed 13 more. Sales led Niwot in rebounds with eight, while Adams had six and Chloe Mitchell added five.

The score reflected a 47-36 loss, but the final tally did not reflect the improvements the lineup made.

"They're learning to compete, which has been a struggle in the past," Trobaugh said. "They're competing, they're playing hard, that's a change from years past. Now they have to learn to win, and that's not always easy. There's no great recipe for that other than playing hard and executing what you've done in practice. I see a lot of progress and a record may not necessarily show that. They only won four games last year, and we've already won two and we haven't played the weakest opponents in the conference yet. I am confident we will win more games than last year and I think this will be a stronger, better team."

To Trobaugh, the most important part of the season isn't the victories, but rather the growth the program will make as a whole. A good mix of all ages ensures a good system that will continue to improve in the coming years.

Though having three conference losses in their pocket to start the season, good leadership has become the foundation for confidence and role modeling, which is not something that can be taught.

Niwot will hit the road against Longmont High School on Dec. 19 with a focus on improvements instead of what the final score is.

"I expect us to continue to get better," Trobaugh. "I expect our players with experience to lead the team and I am confident they can learn to win and they can learn to do what is necessary to close out games."