The Rhinebeck High School varsity girls basketball players are entering a new season with a new coach and a positive outlook. The Hawks open the 2024-2025 season on Friday and Saturday at a tournament in Saugerties.
“The team seems to have good energy and desire to improve,” said Marc Burg, who has coached basketball in the district since 2006. “Basketball is a long season, and I expect us to grow and develop as a team as the season progresses.”
Rhinebeck had a varsity girls basketball team in 2023-2024 for the first time since the COVID pandemic. This year’s team hopes to continue the program’s growth.
“I hope we win more games, go out feeling more confident, have fun and really come together as a team and play like a team,” said senior guard Melkitu Dentico.
Dentico is one of three returning seniors on the team with guard Amanda O’Han and Hannah Sharp. The roster also features three juniors and seven sophomores.
“I’m really excited about the season. I’m glad there are a lot of girls on the team, especially the sophomores as we continue to build the program,” said returning junior guard Macilyn Eighmy. “I want to continue to build a friendship throughout the whole team and bond with one another to help us perform better on the court.
“I hope we win more games, everyone improves their skills and we continue to grow as a Rhinebeck girls basketball program.”
The Hawks came away feeling optimistic about the season after they scrimmaged for six quarters against Germantown on Dec. 2.
“We all played really hard, we had fun and I think we played pretty well,” said Dentico. “I think it was a good confidence boost for us and it put an energy out there that we all liked.”
The Hawks will host Catskill in its home opener on Dec. 19. The JV girls, led by their first-year coach Jared Capalbo, will start the doubleheader at 4:15 p.m. with the varsity girls to follow at 5:45 p.m.
“As a team, we will set reasonable expectations with the opportunity to improve throughout the year,” said Burg. “I expect the girls to commit to the team and program and do our very best to compete in every game.
“Chemistry is a big part of basketball and that can only come with time as we have several new players to varsity this year. I’m looking forward to a fun and rewarding season.”