Coming off of a state championship in 2024, the Bishop Feehan Girls Basketball Team is ready to bring the energy to hopefully defend the title for this season. Junior, Mollie Mullen gives us an inside look at what to expect from girls hoops’ this year.
“I think we’re a lot more confident this year,” says Mollie, “because last year we were the underdogs and we were still able to make it to the state championships.” Knowing that they were able to defy the odds last year and pull out a win in their biggest game makes this season all the more important to keep proving who they really are as a team.
This year is also all around more competitive as other teams have recognized the strength of the Feehan program. ”Defending a title […] puts a target on our backs because people are coming for us” (Mullen). As a way to tune out all of the pressure, Coach Dolores and the captains have initiated an “us versus everyone” mentality which pushes the team to stick to their game and not adapt to how another team tries to play them.
The captains (Maddy Steel, Sam Carlson, Charlotte Adams-Lopez, and Lily Singer) contribute to the team environment in more ways than just scoring. Mollie compliments their ability to make the underclassmen feel so involved during the season. “As an underclassman, I felt like sometimes my role was to help the upperclassmen,” admitted Mollie, “but now I can see how much of a difference underclassmen make in games and practice.”
It’s the close and reliable team environment that has contributed to the improvements these shamrocks have been able to make. In terms of the team’s progression for the rest of the season, Mollie recognizes the growth the team has already made as a way to push for more. “At the beginning of the season we used to get out-rebounded a lot […] but we’ve already seen a lot of progress and I think if we find little things to focus on, game by game and practice by practice, we’ll just keep improving” (Mullen).
With a current record of 10-1, Mollie predicts that the playoffs will be nothing short of competitive. “They are competitive every year but they are very fun to play because of the community at Feehan” (Mullen). The support for girl’s sports at Bishop Feehan is truly unmatched which, as Mollie said, “makes it really exciting to be a part of something like this team.”
