THIS YEAR’S girls’ basketball team has many great players. Ya Thein Myint (12) is a key player for the team. Just like in all sports, each player relies on and supports each other to create a successful team. Myint is one of the strongest players on Granger’s team and has done a great job building relationships with her teammates.

Myint has been playing basketball for four years but has been interested in the sport since she was in sixth grade. “Some of my basketball role models are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Juju Watkins, and Xaivian Lee,” Myint said.

Myint has many favorite moments from being on the team. “My best shot was during a JV game in my junior year against Cyprus. We were tied, and I hit a big three to secure the win. I think every win feels good, but I still don’t really like to enjoy the win because sometimes I feel like I could’ve done much better,” Myint said.

Kato Makoni (12), a multi-sport athlete, is another senior on Granger’s girls basketball and soccer teams. Makoni started playing basketball when she was only nine years old but took a break and picked it back up in high school. Makoni and Myint have been on the basketball team together all four years, and they’ve also played soccer together. “She’s a quiet but humble player who’ll do anything coaches ask of her. I would say she could work on getting out of her comfort zone and being more social with other girls,” Makoni said.

There are always going to be ups and downs, wins and losses. You can’t control others or much of anything, but the best you can do is give it your all, do your best, and not give up. “There were a couple of games lost that definitely hurt, but one of them was Hillcrest. We had a lot of close games that we could’ve won, but we struggled a lot in the fourth quarter,” Myint said.

A lot of things make a team great and fun. The experiences, the love for the game, the connections made, and much more. Miranda Chap (10) is a great friend of Myint’s and has only been playing with her for two years, but they’ve already built an amazing friendship both on and off the court. Chap and Makoni say what they love about their team is the motivation and the experiences they’ve had together. “My team went to the bowling alley one time for our class period, and we also go and watch pro basketball together,” Makoni said. There is much more to a team than hard work and dedication. Many fun moments and connections come from joining and growing with a team.

One thing both Makoni and Chap agreed on is that Myint has always been an amazing friend, teammate, and player. “Ya Thein is very good at basketball. She’s one of the players I admire,” Chap said. “Ya Thein is a great friend, and she’s always been there for me when I needed her. One way she motivates the team is by always trying to encourage others and by never giving up.” Myint brings amazing positive energy to the team. She is an incredible friend on and off the court, and she will be missed next year.

Girls basketball has come a long way over the years, growing from a small sport into something big. More people are watching and supporting these female athletes, who are showing incredible talent and determination on the court. These players work hard both on the court and in the classroom, balancing school and sports. Their hard work and passion are inspiring others around them.