Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the girls basketball program at Barstow has experienced several obstacles. After several players and coaches left before the 2022-2023 school year, the team was absent for that season. Now, it’s finally back.
Coach Rodney Gilyard and Coach Sarah are the new members of the coaching staff for this year’s season, and they’re joined by eight players. The majority of the team is made up of freshmen and sophomores, with Taylor Easterwood ‘25 and Chanelle Anderson ‘24 representing the upperclassmen.
The team started preparing for the season over the summer. “Preseason went well,” says Coach Gilyard. “We didn’t have the volume I was looking for, but it was busy. We had an open gym all summer with the middle school girls as well to try and incorporate them into the program. Five of the girls also participated in a club/high school summer league. Overall, it was a good start for trying to build up this program again.”
Even though it’s his first year, Coach Gilyard feels “good about coaching. I’m really glad to have enough girls who are committed to coming.” Coach Sarah agrees, saying, “I’m excited for this season. I coached some of them during travel ball, and it’ll be good to have a fresh start with the girls and the school.”
“I really like the coaches,” says Giselle Potts ‘26. “They’re really nice and active teachers. They play with us during practice and show us everything. They want us to push ourselves, which is helpful in a critical-thinking sport like basketball.”
Easterwood agrees, saying, “I can see progress already. Coach works hard on making us communicate because he knows the more united we are, the better we play. The more comfortable we are with each other the better we play, too, and they’re encouraging that among the team.”
“One of my main goals is to make sure the girls have a good experience. I want to make sure they’re always learning and developing and enjoying the opportunity. I’m excited to watch their development happen, from Girl 1 – Girl 8, and see how they grow as players and understand the game,” says Gilyard.
“We’re a group of hard workers,” says Alex Dean ‘26. “You can never get enough of those in a sport like basketball.”
Both the coaches see this in practice, too. “They’ve all been focused and attentive to everything. Everyone’s excited to be here, and they are here to represent the school,” says Gilyard. “Two of their best strengths are their eagerness to learn and their energy,” says Coach Sarah.
However, with a lack of a season last year, the players still have some things to overcome. “It made it a little more intimidating to come back to play this year because we have to catch up to other teams who’ve had time to bond and learn from each other,” says Easterwood. “We definitely missed a few things,” agrees Anderson. “We’ve got a gap to make up for.”
“I’m new this year, and to be honest, it was a little scary when I found out that there wasn’t a team here last year. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to play. But, I feel like we’re a good group. We’re building our team chemistry and we’ll continue to all season,” says Dean.
“As their coach, I want the girls to gel as much as possible. Basketball is a long season, and I want to help them make the environment fun so that they enjoy being around each other. The team needs to become a cohesive unit,” says Coach Sarah.
“Player relationships are good, and it’s a friendly environment,” says Potts. “We’re in the process of coming into ourselves and as players,” agrees Dean.
For her last season at Barstow, Anderson will get to be team captain. “I’m really excited to lead the team. I believe in the team, and we have a shot at making something out of this situation. I want to encourage other girls to come play, too,” says Anderson.
“I want the community to know that we have a group of girls participating, and we’re gonna support it,” says Gilyard. “We’re going to represent the school in the city and the state. This is an opportunity to create a good reputation for scholastic girls sports, which is something near and dear to me. This is a good place to be for girls looking for great athletic and academic experiences. I’m hoping we’ll be able to create a sustainable program, too.”
This season, players are looking forward to competing against University Academy, Heritage Christian, Summit Christian, and Pembroke.
As a community, we could do a lot more to support the girls basketball program as it starts back up again. “Come out to games. Support the girls. Show them that people care about girls ball, too,” says Coach Sarah. “Just because we didn’t have a team last year doesn’t mean this year’s team isn’t good. The people on the team put in a lot of time and energy to play, so do your part in return,” says Easterwood.
“Girls ball players don’t get enough love,” agrees Dean. “You don’t have to do a lot, just dap ‘em up in the hallways, tell them they had a great game, even if they didn’t. Tell them you support them and show up so they can see that.”
“I’m gonna need to see that student section filled up. Students, teachers, parents, everyone needs to come out to games and bring the energy,” says Potts.
The team’s next game is against Crossroads Prep at home on Wednesday the 6th at 5:30. You know what to do. Go Knights!
