Our basketball program is based on a simple philosophy. We want to make our young ladies TEAM basketball players within a successful program which functions as a family and, in doing so, achieve the higher goal of helping them to be better people.

A Lady Herd Basketball player is one who strives to earn the "Lady Herd Hustle Award" at the end of the season. She is a player who takes risks and is dedicated to both her individual improvement and the development of the team. She goes above and beyond, consistently demonstrating a high level of focus, intensity, and hustle in practices and games. The award isn't always for the leading scorer or a starter; it is for the one player on each team of the program that can be counted on every day to represent the ideals of a Lady Herd basketball player: teamwork, family, dedication, desire, sacrifice, heart, hustle, attitude, aptitude, and discipline.

We try to help our players understand that a successful team requires a great deal of time and dedication by each member of the team family. We also try to help our players understand that basketball is not something separate from their school experience--that discipline must be exemplified both on and off the court. They must apply their dedication to school as they are "student-athletes" -- students first, athletes second. Hopefully, in teaching these lessons, we give our players a taste of several skills essential to a successful life after Elk Grove--working together, supporting each other and placing the welfare of the group ahead of self-interest.

Our coaching staff is concerned with, and committed to, each player in our basketball program, at every level of her development within the context of team basketball. In return for each girl's commitment to the program, we have pledged to be understanding, truthful, open, and fair with her. Each parent and player must realize that a commitment often times extends beyond the regular season. It takes extra time and effort to be successful.

Finally, we recognize that basketball is a game, and that students are attracted to the sport primarily because it is fun. We will never lose sight of this fact. We believe that successful basketball and fun basketball can live together in a program devoted to TEAM BASKETBALL.