As the Mount Pisgah basketball season is beginning, Mount Pisgah’s teams are preparing for an eventful year. Sophomores Peyton Gray and Sophia Nasieku discuss their aspirations, reflections and insights as the teams get ready for an exciting journey.
Gray and Nasieku both expressed excitement about the opportunity to grow and develop with their team.
“I’m excited to see how much we can improve as a group and how far we can go,” Nasieku shared.
Setting goals is important for any and all athletes.
Gray, when asked what his goals are for this season, said, “to improve my overall skills, and grow as both a player and person.”
The men’s team has taken on a new coach this year, Coach Eberhardt.
“Coach Eberhardt has brought in a new perspective to the game and helped me and the team to improve,” said Gray.
Balancing sports with school and other activities is no small feat.
“Our typical training routine includes morning or afternoon practices and two lifting sessions each week,” Gray explained.
The women’s team has practice after school most days and works a lot on ball handling and setting up plays in order to run them like a team.
When asked about time management Nasieku stated, “I make sure that everyday when I get home the first thing I do is my homework. I make school my top priority so I do not miss any assignments.”
Both players began sports at a young age. Gray said that he started basketball when he was five-years-old and decided that it was a really fun sport. Nasieku started basketball in the fourth grade, and throughout middle school grew more of a passion for the sport, leading to her choice of playing this year. Both of these athletes are extremely talented and have expressed that the sport has also influenced their goals outside of athletics, shaping them into more disciplined and team-oriented individuals.
Despite the challenges of daily training, Gray emphasized the camaraderie among teammates.
“We motivate each other during practice to get better every day. It’s a grind, but it’s worth it.”
Nasieku said that the best part about Mount Pisgah’s team is how closely knit the girls are.
“I love all of my teammates,” said Naskieku. “They have become some of my closest friends, and I am so excited to play with them again this year.”
Nasieku shared her predictions for the season, “I believe we will grow a lot as a team and become closer in the process. I am so excited to play with these girls, and I am looking forward to the rest of our season.”
As for the men’s team, Gray has said that he believes the team will do well this year and that he will learn a lot from the coaches and other players.
Both teams are gearing up for an action-packed season, promising plenty of excitement for the audiences. Every athlete brings a unique story and distinct set of skills to the team’s dynamic both on and off the court. From their diverse training routines and game-day rituals to the camaraderie and support they show one another, it’s clear that this group is built on more than just talent. Fans can expect a season filled with standout performances and a level of talent that will make Mount Pisgah shine.
