The following article is sponsored on behalf of the Central Bucks West field hockey team by OPT4. To read about their services, please visit OPT4’s web site by clicking on the following link: http://www.opt4group.com/
(Submitted Photo)
Courtney Lepping can’t talk about her Central Bucks West field hockey squad without using words like continuity and building a program.
The Bucks are living proof of the value of continuity, winning at least 14 games in each of the four years since Lepping and her sister Casey Hughes took over in the fall of 2012. And if building a program means going 18-0 in year four, then the Bucks are the very definition of just that.
“Whenever you’re coaching a program, the goal is continuity – the same concepts built in middle school all the way up,” said Lepping, who is in her third year at the helm. “When I got to be a part of this three years ago – this year’s seniors were freshmen.
“I was helping Casey (Hughes), and we both came in without expectations because of where they had been. Then you see what they’re capable of, and you encourage hard work, you encourage a scheme, and you see kids that are nice and willing to work, and that’s how we’ve gotten to this point.”
‘This point’ is winning the SOL Continental Conference and earning the third seed entering the District One AAA Tournament. The conference crown is the program’s first in 16 years.
“It’s been so long, and it’s been such a long process, building our team slowly over the years and finally finding that click,” said Cadera Smith. “Once that happened and we clicked together, it was magical. It was like nothing you could ever feel.”
Putting into perspective how long it’s been since the Bucks won a title is the fact that Smith was born in 1999 – the same year West last won a title of any sort.
“It’s such a great year for us considering that we have a really young team,” said sophomore Taylor Mason. “We’ve worked so hard for this and played really well to get to this point, so I’m really proud of us as a team for doing that.”
West’s success came a year after the Bucks graduated six starting seniors from last year’s squad.
“I can’t believe it,” senior Anna Hall said. “Looking back to last year, we had all those core players, and now they’re all gone off to college.
“We were coming in pretty young, and we were a little worried, but I think with coach Hughes’ understanding of the team dynamic and getting our younger players in, we have a good team bonding.”
That bonding – according to Bryn Boylan – didn’t just happen.
“Aside from being great leaders, our captains’ most important aspect on this team is making sure our team is getting along and making sure the team is really working together,” the junior midfielder said.
Hall, Emily Halderson and Rachel Loux, the team’s three senior captains, learned from those who went before them.
“(We) got to be part of a team that had three generations of seniors, so we got to take notes from them and see what works and doesn’t work,” Hall said. “I think this year we’re focused on positivity, and that has helped immensely.”
“The chemistry is definitely there,” Halderson added, “so that’s helping a lot throughout the season. We just have very good personalities on the team this year.
“Every team has things to work on, and we definitely have our strengths and weaknesses, but we’re improving and we’re learning more and more about each other, and I think that’s really helping.”
In addition to the three captains, fellow seniors Mikayla Darrows, Macella Molenari, Courtney Westover and Ariana Wexler also bring veteran leadership to the team.
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The bar was set high when – in Casey Hughes first year – the Bucks wrote their own Cinderella story, advancing to the state tournament. They haven’t been back at states since then but advanced to districts each year since then.
Playing a role in the team’s rise has been the commitment of its players to compete year round.
“That is so significant,” Smith said. “It’s unspeakable how much offseason play really impacts your play when you get to the high school.
“There are girls who haven’t picked up sticks in a couple of months that you’re playing against, and you’ve been practicing and training hard, really preparing.”
Also playing a role in the team’s progression has been the stability Hughes has brought to the program.
“It’s so important that we’ve had both coach Hughes and her sister throughout our four years,” Hall said. “We were able to figure out her coaching style along with how we worked with her, and I think it’s so important we got to spend this time with her, and now the program has really taken off.”
The program’s success, according to Hughes, is a joint effort.
“It’s because of kids buying in and having someone stick with them,” she said. “They didn’t have someone for so long.
“Just the continuity – our freshman coach comes to our preseason the entire two weeks because she then knows what we’re teaching, she helps teach what we’re teaching so it starts with our younger levels. We had a couple of clinics this year for younger kids trying to get them involved. It’s just really been a process – the idea of building a program. That’s what it’s about. It’s always about that.”
The Bucks couldn’t have written a better script than the one that saw them clinch the conference title with a 2-1 win over archrival Central Bucks East in a thriller between the sister schools.
“It’s funny how it all ended up,” Mason said. “We played our rivals for the championship, and they’re such a good team, so for us to come out on top is huge.”
Mason and her teammates are hoping this year’s title is just the beginning.
“That’s what’s so great about it,” she said. “We’re hoping this continues on and that the intensity we have takes us really far.”
This year’s squad has ensured itself a place in history, and the year 2015 will be added to the banner in West’s gymnasium.
“It’s incredible,” Hall said. “Honestly, I can’t say anything more. Never in a million years did I think we’d be the seniors that got to be on the banner.”
“It’s really awesome to see that our (year) is going to be up on the banner,” Mason added. “It was really dramatic that it’s been so long since CB West field hockey has gotten a banner, and it’s really awesome to know we all get to be part of it.”
The Bucks, who have an opening round bye in the District One AAA Tournament, will face the winner of Monday’s Central Bucks East/Wissahickon game on Wednesday. Whatever happens in the postseason, the foundation has been laid.
“We’re having a great season so far,” Boylan said. “I’m so proud of how much we’ve improved, not only from last year but from the beginning of the season.
“We’ve developed into such a cohesive team, and I’m really excited for where this program is headed.”
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