Montini guard Nathalia Richardson caught a pass far back from the three-point line in Monday’s practice.
With no hesitation, Richardson went into her shooting motion. Swish. A smile crept across the freshman’s face. Then in the next rep, it was like deja vu. Richardson caught a ball deep beyond the three-point line and swished another long three-pointer, and that same grin appeared on her face.
“Don’t act like you’re surprised,” coach Shannon Spanos said.
But for the large bulk of Montini’s team, there’s a sense of naivety because of their youth. The Broncos graduated six seniors from last year’s Class 3A state championship-winning team. They have three seniors on the roster, but also an abundance of youth. Those seniors set the tone for the program and their presence is felt even in their absence.
“They were just really special to all of us,” senior guard Juliana Neustadt said. “And they pushed me every day last year just to get better in practice. Me and [senior Ava Lombardi] didn’t get like the minutes we wanted on the court, and they still pushed us every day.
“Every time I walk into practice, I’m just like, I gotta do better every day to be a role model [for this year’s team].”
Richardson figures to play a prominent role for the Broncos as a lead guard. She’s quick, can get into the paint seamlessly and can knock down three-pointers. Spanos said the team calls her “Smiles” because she’s always happy. And though she’s reserved, like most freshmen, she’s stepping ito the point guard role vacated by Nikki Kerstein’s graduation.
Richardson said her first taste of high school basketball has been “pretty intense.” It’s faster and more demanding than elementary school, but she said she’s starting to acclimate.
“We said, ‘Even though you’re a freshman, we need you to lead, and we need you to be a vocal point guard,” Spanos said. “And I think that’s the role that she’s willing to take.”
Spanos said she’s been impressed by the group’s commitment and energy in practice. The youthful exuberance has been welcomed, and Spanos said she wants the group to focus on consistency rather than results.
Minutes have been freed up because of the graduations. For Lombardi and Neustadt, they see it as an opportunity and motivation to attack each practice.
“It’s not a set spot,” Neustadt said. “You have to really work for your spot on the team, nothing’s given. The seniors really showed us that, and told us, ‘Work hard, like, great things will come for you.’”
Given the team’s inexperience, Spanos found herself teaching more than in years past. But with Lombardi and Neustadt being captains, they have helped establish the necessary commitment and dedication needed to succeed.
“Nothing is given, you have to work for everything this year,” Lombardi said. “and they remind us of that every day, and that, I think, what keeps it competitive and keeps us going.”
But inexperience isn’t an excuse. Spanos still coaches the girls hard and has seen the group buy-in with its dedication.
Consistency will be key for the Broncos this season, given their reliance on underclassmen, but the standard remains high as they embrace the challenge of moving up to 4A.
“You gotta live up to that [standard],” Richardson said.