Girls varsity basketball: Lady Cowboys bounce back with a victory over Monarch

BY KAYLA GATES

As basketball begins its winter season at Cooper City High School, players of all grade levels have taken to the courts. With practice sessions becoming game days, the Lady Cowboys are particularly interested in winning, hoping to end the year with a high district ranking.

The girls’ basketball season officially began in early November. After weeks of conditioning, players finally had the opportunity to put their skills to the test. The team competed in multiple games over the course of the past month, acquiring wins as well as losses.

Cooper City High School began the season with a winning record. The team won their first two games against Monarch and Pompano Beach. However, they went on to lose their next four games against Hollywood Hills, Pembroke Pines Charter and Plantation.

“We had a great win on Monday,” sophomore Vicky Mel Sotomayor said. “We worked as a team in order to achieve our goal.”

After suffering multiple losses at the beginning of the season, the team hoped to turn their record around at the next game. The Lady Cowboys traveled to Coconut Creek for a conference game. They took on Monarch High School on Monday, December 10 at 7 p.m.

Going into the game, many players felt hopeful. Cooper City had already played Monarch in November and won 36-24. The previous victory helped to reassure the team. Still, many members looked back on their losing streak and felt discouraged.

Despite their many losses, Cooper City was able to prevail at the game. The team beat Monarch with a score of 39-30. The win helped to boost their confidence, as they hadn’t seen a victory since the beginning of the season.

“We had a great win on Monday,” sophomore Vicky Mel Sotomayor said. “We worked as a team in order to achieve our goal.”

The team expected to take on Pompano Beach High School on Thursday, December 13. The away game would have been crucial for the Lady Cowboys, as they have previously lost to the school. However, the event was postponed, allowing Cooper City to participate in more practices before the big match.

“A lot has happened throughout the season thus far,” freshman Caitlyn Castillo said. “But our Lady Cowboys won’t stop grinding until it’s over.”

The team will compete once again on Monday, December 17 at an away game against Cardinal Gibbons High School. The Lady Cowboys hope to secure another win, which would ultimately boost their ranking.

“The girls have [had] a few disappointing losses and are sitting in third place in the district,” coach David Johnson said. “We are working hard to progress and we are hoping to avenge those early losses from Pines Charter and Plantation.”

With their previous games in mind, the team hopes to learn from their early mistakes and make adjustments. They plan to continue training and improving as the season progresses. Johnson, as well as his players, hope that more practice will allow Cooper City to secure future wins.

All in all, the victory over Monarch has allowed the Lady Cowboys to remain optimistic. Despite early losses, the team hopes to regain their winning streak present at the beginning of the season. With some more practice, players are confident that they will bounce back.

“A lot has happened throughout the season thus far,” freshman Caitlyn Castillo said. “But our Lady Cowboys won’t stop grinding until it’s over.”

Photo by The Lariat Photography