As the basketball season goes into full swing, freshman Ryann Jefferys and senior Bennett Kayser are dribbling to success!
As a freshman starting on varsity, Ryann Jefferys ‘28 is making her name known on the court. She’s incredibly experienced and talented, having played basketball since the third grade. Looking back on videos of her playing in previous years reminds Jefferys of how far she has come and motivates her to continue to improve.
Whether cheering for a shot or high-fiving a teammate, Jefferys celebrates every win on the court to keep herself and her team motivated. “I think it’s really important to celebrate the good moments,” said Jefferys. Senior captain Natalie Jaworski attests to Jefferys’s tremendous energy, “She’s taken a leadership position, even as a younger player, being very vocal on the court and always motivating her teammates to improve.”
While always bringing a positive and fun attitude onto the court, Jefferys thrives on the competitive nature of the sport and strives to be the best player she can be. As a leading scorer in a multitude of games, she is dedicated and consistently shows up at every practice, game, and team bonding. Mary Dong, TL women’s varsity head coach, has witnessed Jeffreys’s tremendous growth and profound leadership development in just a short amount of time, “Her confidence grows every game and I love to watch.”
Senior Bennett Kayser began his basketball career at eight years old and is now a Varsity captain 10 years later. Kayser makes it a point to promote positivity with his team and believes it’s important to think about the team as a whole, not just himself. His favorite thing about the team is, “definitely the friends that [he’s] made.” Not only does he push himself to do his best, but he also motivates his team. Kayser’s teammate Cameron Gregoire, a junior at TL, validates his positive influence on the team, “Bennett is a really inspiring captain and he makes a big impact on our team.”
Bennett averages eight points, five rebounds, and four assists per game. He believes that his dedication and aggressiveness lead him to perform well on the court. Boys’ varsity head coach James Baker says that along with being a consistent player, “Bennett always makes the right decisions when [the team] need[s] it.” His natural leadership sets Kayser apart from being only a good player. Senior player Calvin Albrecht agrees, “I’ve played with Bennett for eight years now, and he’s always been a leader.”
With the basketball season coming to a close in the coming weeks, players and viewers alike will remember Jefferysand Kayser’s contributions to their respective teams, and look forward to seeing what they do next with their basketball careers.
