As the Urbana High School Women’s Basketball Team starts there new season, the players this year have a very visible sense of excitement and energy going into this season.
For the first time in six years the Urbana High School women’s basketball team has a brand new head coach. With Head Coach JR Rawlins the team has a whole new viewpoint and perspective this season.
As the new season approaches, athletes throughout Urbana are excited for what this season has to come. For captain Eden Colo, class of 2025, the excitement is obvious as they look forward to getting on the court again. They are ready to continue to grow as a team and get better.
“I’m most excited for finally being able to get back on the court for another season,” Colo says. “I really enjoy the time I’ve spent with my teammates so far, and from what I can tell from scrimmages, we all have the urge to better one another.”
It’s clear that Colo values the team spirit and mutual support that has developed within the team. With the competitive season coming about and starting, this bond will be huge for the team. The ability to push each other to improve, both individually and as a whole, is a huge aspect of success.
Coach Rawlins brings experience to the table, having coached at Tuscarora for one year. After being hired in the offseason, they quickly set to work with a clear goal in mind: to create a culture where hard work, accountability, and teamwork are pivotal.
The beginning of the season is always filled with anticipation. For some players, it’s their final year on the team and for others, it’s their first taste of high school basketball at the varsity level. All are ready for another season.
While every season brings its own unique challenges, the early weeks are a time for the players to get to know one another, both on and off the court. “I have a great feeling of excitement and determination,” says Colo. “I feel a big change from this year compared to last year, and the environment of the team has just been filled with good energy.”
The first few weeks of practice are often the hardest. Players spend hours running drills, working on their fundamentals, and getting into shape. But it’s not just about improving individual skills; it’s also about developing the trust and teamwork that will ultimately define the season. “My favorite part of this team is that we aren’t just a bunch of random people forced to like one another,” Colo says. “We’re friends willing to get closer and have a healthy sense of competition.”
With a new season comes a fresh set of goals. While every year the goal is just to improve and get better every day.
Balancing the demands of being a student-athlete with academic responsibilities can be challenging, but many players find ways to manage their time effectively. “I try and get most of my homework or classwork done during school if I can, so I’m able to fully focus on basketball afterwards,” says Dyanara Valenzuela-Ruz, class of 2026.
By staying organized, she ensures that her academic work is completed before practice or games, allowing her to give her full attention to the sport without worrying about unfinished assignments. This approach helps her maintain a strong balance between her academic and athletic commitments.
Being ready both physically and mentally is of huge importance. “Physically, I make sure to stretch well to keep my body in top shape,” says Valenzuela-Ruz. “I also like to use essential oils to help calm my nerves before going into difficult games.” This routine helps her stay relaxed and focused, both mentally and physically. “Mentally, I like to listen to music that pumps me up and makes me feel prepared to play a good game,” she adds.
Whether it’s through physical relaxation or mental preparation, she has found ways to keep herself ready for the challenges of high pressure situations that she’ll experience within the game.
As a leader on the team, Colo has set clear personal goals for the season goals that reflect not only their dedication but also their commitment to portraying a positive environment for everyone involved.
“I have a lot of personal goals for myself as I have taken the role of a leader,” says Colo. “I want to strive to be my best and as positive as I can be so my negativity doesn’t spread to my teammates.”
While personal growth is important, Colo knows the true strength of a team lies in unity. Their goal for the team is simple yet amazing. “My goal is to help us be that team you look at and all you can see are 14 girls who all share the same love for basketball.”
One player is reflecting on what truly makes their team special, the bond between the players themselves. “My favorite part of this team is the players. This is almost the same team we had my freshman year, and it was really one of my favorite teams. I’m really excited to be playing with them again,” says Ella Crawmer.
For many athletes, teams are more than just the sum of their talents. They’re a well rounded team that really goes off on trust, and chemistry. For Crawmer, the familiarity of returning to a roster is helpful. It’s not just about the game, it’s about the relationships that make every victory sweeter and every challenge easier to go against.
As the season comes about, it’s clear that this mindset will guide the team. With a focus on positivity and unity, they are determined to set a goal that not only pushes them to be their best but also inspires the entire team to reach new success.
For Urbana Girls Basketball, they thrive on work ethic, leadership, sportsmanship, and overall great support between each and every one of them.
That’s what makes their team so special.
