When the new season of girls basketball tipped off, the team was preparing for more than another season of competition, they were adjusting to life under a new head coach.
Anthony Gries, the new head coach, illustrates his past coaching experience saying, “This is my seventh year coaching. I started with boys HBC 8th grade boys B team, as well as a 6th grade AAU team for Chapman Basketball Academy. I still coach AAU for Chapman but this past year, I coached two girls teams, U15 and U12. This is my fifth year with the Homestead High School girls program – the first three years as a JV coach, last year as a varsity assistant.”
Erich Hinterstocker, athletic director, describes Gries as a “player’s coach” explaining that he “does a good job on understanding what the players want from basketball and their personal, social and academic lives.”
With a combination of experience and empathy toward players, aspirations for the team are high.
Coach Gries depicted his hopes for the team by stating, “I would love for this group to be four-time conference champions. That would be really awesome, so that is a goal of ours. But the big picture goal, and it’s one that is definitely attainable, is to make it to state.”
Although many are excited with the potential the coach brings, many have varying emotions towards the old coach’s departure.
Allison Hertz, sophomore guard, described the leaving of their former head coach as, “Bittersweet.”
Despite the change to the coaching staff, the team has allowed this shift as an opportunity to strengthen their bonds.
Assistant Coach Kellie Baran described the team culture as, “a positive start, the seniors especially do a good job including the returning underclassmen and freshman players.” In addition, Anisa Barnett Senior captain illustrates the team culture as “determined.”
The persistent and positive culture of the team has contributed to the team’s early performance, currently hoisting a 7-3 record including wins against Cedarburg, Neenah and a 68-53 win against Laciona, the defending Division 3 State Champions.
Despite the team’s predominantly win heavy record the team endured a 70-65 loss against Hartford, their conference rival.
In response to this loss for the team’s upcoming games including large games against Whitefish Bay and their rematch against Hartford, Baran aims to prepare the girls to, “Adjust the way the girls are playing to fit the pace of higher level teams and prepare them in terms of mentality, physicality, endurance, court awareness, all the things.”
With the importance of team chemistry at the forefront of the team’s agenda, various members of the team have intentions for the future of the program.
Senior Captain Anisa Barnett explained, “I hope we are able to win some of our big games that we haven’t been able to in the past, and hopefully make a run in the state tournament.”
With the team’s 2023-2024 season being ended short by a 85-79 loss in their Regional final against Germantown, Baran depicts her goals for the future of the team by stating, “Winning conference for the fourth time and especially winning a regional final would be great.”
As the season progresses, many team members continue to focus on fostering a culture of inclusion, determination and unity.