It’s not typical for varsity freshmen to be in a starting lineup, but on the Jackson-Reed girls basketball team, there are two starting freshmen. While the lineup isn’t necessarily set in stone, what is evident is the success and skill that the freshmen provide for the team. 

So far, the Tigers are doing better this year than they did last year, an example of this being their 23 point win over GDS in their first game of the season which is in contrast to last year, when they suffered a defeat against GDS in the DCSAA playoffs.

The decision to bring these two freshmen into the starting lineup is primarily attributed to their height the freshmen have. They help with rebounds and shooting which is something the Tigers struggled with last year, and they are the two main “bigs” on the team according to Associate Head Coach Aireon Boone.

The freshmen, Noa Gordon and Aminyah Muhammad, were both surprised to start, but at the same time, they know what’s expected of them. Muhammad explained that the coaches put an emphasis on knowing the plays in order to have a starting spot and Gordon added that they also want them to be aggressive and run up and down the court. 

“I’m very grateful to have this opportunity, and it feels really good to be able to have this opportunity so early in my high school career,” said Gordon. 

Although this is one of the first times freshmen have started on the varsity team, the team dynamic is still strong and there is no visible hostility towards the freshmen that start. 

Boone thinks that if the talent that keeps coming in is similar to this year’s, this trend could continue. However, junior Parker McFarren said next year may be different because a JV team may be introduced. •