Captains of the Week: Girls’ Varsity Basketball

By ANGELA HE, URA SHI, HANNA WEI, and ARISA YOSHINO

If you have ever walked into Love Gym during a close girls’ basketball game, you would know that the energy is electric. The crowds are on their feet, the squeak of sneakers on the hardwood courts echoes off the walls, and the scoreboard holds everyone’s attention. The captains are at the center of it all — Cassie Beste, Celia Dowling, and Eveland Sherman. 

Whether it’s by rallying their teammates in a huddle during a tense halftime or cracking a joke to ease nerves before a free throw, the captains of the girls’ varsity basketball team bring leadership, dedication, and passion to every play. Even off the court, they are the heart of the team. This week, we highlight the captains who inspire the team to drive, persevere, and thrive.

Beste, Dowling, and Sherman epitomize leadership. With all three captains having been team members since prep year, their dedication sets an example for their teammates. “Our captains are there to support and encourage us, and both on and off the court, they get us involved in a play or conversation, fostering a good team dynamic,” stated lower Maya Hinrichsen.

Prep Sarika Agarwalla echoed this sentiment, emphasizing how, even with many new players, the captains have excelled at bringing the team closer. “We’re a really new team. A lot of the girls are new, so I think they really just bonded the team together,” she shared. She recalled a memorable moment when one of the captains comforted her at the trainers, reminding her that she was still a valuable part of the team despite being sidelined by an injury.

Upper Daniella Kalil described the captains’ radiating energy: “They all have different personalities and bring different things to the team. I think they really keep us grounded and always bring good energy and a positive spirit to our team.”

The energy and camaraderie that the captains create is not by accident. These results are intentional and stem from their efforts to create a supportive and positive environment. Beste added, “It’s not just about being a strong player; it’s about making sure everyone feels valued and knows they have a role to play. Basketball is a team sport, and the best teams are the ones where everyone is invested.”

Agarwalla shared, “The captains are really experienced. I think the girls have been on the team since freshman year — almost all of them. They really try to get our energy up, even when we’re not doing so well. I think overall they do good for the team dynamic.”

Agarwalla further described the captains’ leadership style as “very welcoming” and added, “They lighten the mood and make sure everyone’s having fun while also getting better.”

For new players like lower Lynnwoo Hong, the captains’ approachability has made all the difference. “Even though they’re older and more experienced, it’s just fun learning from them,” Hong stated. Reflecting on their influence, she added, “On the court, they’re loud and hyped for games, and it motivates the rest of the team. Off court, it’s nice greeting them on the paths and building good connections.”

Kalil shared a similar view, emphasizing the captains’ ability to unify the team. “They really care about everyone’s individual improvement and recognize that everyone has different contributions to the team, regardless of how much playing time they might get,” she said.

Kalil also admired how the captains consistently lead by example. “In practice, they’re always focused and hardworking. In games, they’re super engaged, always giving full effort. In the locker room or team huddles, they always have the right things to say,” she continued. 

When asked to describe the captains in one word, Kalil chose “passionate,” while Hong opted for “hardworking.” Both words reflect the captains’ dedication to the team and their craft.

The captains’ influence does not stay within the confines of the court; they affect not only the dynamics of the team but also each player’s experience. Through their passion, hard work, and genuine care for their teammates, Beste, Dowling, and Sherman embody what it means to lead with heart. As Hong put it, “They lead like a friend.” The girls’ varsity basketball team, with their dedication and leadership, is greater than just a collection of athletes — it is a family.