York’s Girls Thanksgiving Tournament. Four days. Eight teams. Supportive fans. All sweat and smiles on the court. What a way to start off the season.

It’s the first couple games the girls of York basketball play as a slightly new team each year. It’s an opportunity to see their opponents for future games and a chance to satisfy their appetite to play in games after the first two weeks of practice.

“I think it’s fun,” Cate Carter, number one and freshmen, said. “I think it’s a good experience to play with the team before the actual season.”

Carter is one of two freshmen on the team, aside from number five Avery Larma, though most of the team is made up of underclassmen.

“I’m excited to grow into our team to see our potential and see what we’re made of,” Stella Kohl, number 22, senior, said. “We have a lot of young girls this year so it’s all up in the air right now and I’m excited to see how good we’ll be.”

Two weeks doesn’t seem like a ton of time, yet the girls have spent enough hours together to get close as teammates and as friends. They seem very comfortable playing together on the court, both freshmen and seniors alike.

“A lot of people are starting to grow a lot closer even though we’ve only been playing for a few weeks,” Hannah Meyers, number 20, senior said. “Everyone is so nice and welcoming which is good.”

Though this year there are more freshmen and sophomores stepping up to varsity than in years past, the juniors and seniors have already made their mark and are willing to lend a helping hand.

“It’s fun looking up to the older girls,” Carter said. “It’s a great environment to be a part of.”

Previous assistant coach Amy Talbot went on maternity leave for this season, giving Timothy Sheehan the opportunity to fill in for the year. He has been a head coach for basketball at Holy Trinity High School in Chicago, then transferred over to assistant coach at IC and Lisle high schools, along with being an assistant coach for Elmhurst University. Allison Sheehan, his daughter, graduated this past spring after playing basketball for York as well.

“Everyone is working hard and we’re getting better,” Sheehan said. “The team is not as experienced as it was a year ago so we are working more with the basic things. I feel like it’s coming quickly but it takes a little bit of time.”

By day three of the tournament, the Dukes won their first game and lost the next two. The York girls defeated Downers Grove South 48 to 39. On Tuesday they lost to St. Charles East 49 to 31 then to Prospect 41 to 35 on Thursday.

“The first thing I want is them to hustle and put in effort,” Sheehan said. “Everybody should be willing to give up themselves for the greater cause. If we get that and knock down a shot or two, we’re going to be okay. That’s all you can ask is for everyone to give up themselves, from the coaches to the players, everybody. Once that happens, we can get a good result.”

With so many new players and having an All-State player like Marianne Blass graduate, it can be difficult to adjust. Given more time, York will be able to reach their potential.

“Everyone is trying to find their way within the program now and find what their role is,” Sheehan said. “More importantly just getting everyone to come together to play as one group of five girls on the court. As we get there, when everyone starts to know what their role is, we’re going to be fine. There is a lot of talent there so it will start coming out.”

York ended up pulling together a win against Marist 48 to 34 in the last game of the tournament. Their determination to end the week strong was able to shine through giving them fifth place overall.

“I’m probably most proud of our team as a whole,” Kohl said. “How no matter our personnel, we’re always able to adapt.”

Last year’s team was able to go far in their season and this year’s team has that same goal moving forward. Coaches, players, seniors most especially, are reaching toward another championship. As many wins as possible while maintaining a cohesive team is really what they aim towards. Their favorite part though, is playing with each other.

“I am most proud of how much all of my teammates have grown in these past few years,” Meyers said. “I’m looking forward to playing with some of my best friends and meeting new people. A goal would be to win the regional championship again and have a good record too.”

A team can only win games if they improve on their skills together. Each and every player has to devote their time and energy to the sport they love if they have hopes of achieving their desires.

“The main goal is to get better. From my standpoint, we have a lot of younger players that need to grow,” Sheehan said. “I want to see us to be, regardless of our record, I want us to be a better team in February than we are today.”

Winning games is obviously a goal, but that’s only short term. Whether a player goes on in their basketball career or if it’s their last ride, it’s important to Sheehan that all players take away the bigger picture from basketball that he intends to teach them in his one year as assistant coach.

“If you’re fulfilled by playing the sport or in life, then that’s when you feel the best,” Sheehan said. “That’s what I hope to get from the players I coach and that’s what I hope they get from their lives from what they choose to do after basketball.”