Emma Fitzgerald is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Dobson High School for AZPreps365.com

MESA — Dobson girls basketball enters the upcoming season motivated and with some upgrades to their practice. 

“I feel we're gonna do better because we know what's coming, and we can better mentally and physically prepare ourselves,” varsity point guard Shaandiin Sanchez said. 

Dobson’s previous season was unexpectedly challenging after several upperclassmen transferred. This left a younger team and a bench that had to step up.

The Mustangs are optimistic for their upcoming season. They have many returning players, a new strength coach and an extended practice schedule.

Dobson football head coach Bobby Newcombe is the girls’ new strength coach this year and has been helping to bring a new toughness to the team.

“He's really vocal and really assertive and so, like, when we need to get stuff done, like, we're doing them,” varsity forward Aliana Garcia said. “He doesn't play around, and I think that's what we need as a group.”

Newcombe has been helping the team build endurance in the weight room. For example he runs upper body workouts and enforces discipline by ensuring the girls hit the gym regularly. 

“I feel like everyone is more involved in working out,” Sanchez said. “I mean, last year we had weights, but it was kind of like on and off.” 

Along with learning workouts and building muscle, he has also been teaching the girls about nutritional health with dietary plans and what foods are best for them.

“Coach Newcombe really does a great job with the girls,” head girls basketball coach Henry Bribiescas said. “He puts that football mentality to come in and lift— and lift strong and so I'm looking forward to see the outcome.”

This season the girls also received approval to have more practices. Last year the team did not meet every day which made it harder to build team chemistry and muscle memory.

Now the team has seventh and eighth hour practice. This will allow the girls to have a consistent routine that includes team bonding, more repetitions and dedicated time for the weight room. 

“We are now picking up on things quicker and understanding how to do things a lot more faster or a lot more with like intent of going and driving it in,” Garcia said. 

Last season, younger players had the opportunity to start playing on varsity earlier due to the loss of multiple starters. Dobson is expecting another challenging season in regards to opponents but with many players returning and experienced, Bribiescas is optimistic. 

“I am looking for better things to, you know, to come upon us in regards to being able to, you know, play the tougher games and the tougher teams and being able to weather the storms better than we did,” Bribiescas said.

With a new strength coach, upgrading practice to be more consistent and having a team of returning players who have been through a difficult past season, Dobson is ready to take on this next season.

“We know what's coming, we know the season's coming ahead and we know now we are a year older,” Bribiescas said.