Think about how short the distance 15 feet is. Fifteen feet is how far away the basket is from the free-throw line. A free throw is worth one point each.

One point determines a game, the end of a season, or a desired title. Fifteen feet seems a lot more intimidating now doesn’t it?

GRC girls’ basketball is in full swing for the 2016-2017 season, and the players say they’re ready to go.

“We’ve been working really hard all pre-season,” said senior Kylee Murray. “Everything is slowly coming together.”

The girls have been showing their dedication through 6 a.m. practices.

“6 a.m. practices help us because we’re expected to grind just as hard as we would any other time of day,” said Murray. “Everybody has to wake up and be focused.”

This year’s hoops team says they are adapting to a lot of young talent.

“I don’t think having a young team will hurt us,” said senior Elizabeth Hardiman. “Once we really learn how to play with each other, things will clear up, and I expect big things from the girls.”

Not only is the team young, but they are embracing new faces as well.

“The new girls don’t feel like ‘new girls’,” said Hardiman. “They fit in with us great, and we all have the same goal – to win.”

The girls say they have real potential this year to be something great.

“The main focus of GRC Hoops? Cutting down nets,” said Murray. “Win the district, win the region, win state.”

With their great potential, they carry worries – not of what could happen, but what could not.

“The biggest worry is not making it as far as we should,” said Murray. “We all want to win; we have the skill to do so.”

GRC Hoops says they have coaches who help them on and off the court to create success.

“Our coaches are the best around,” said Hardiman. “They are very hard on us, but they make sure we understand what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.”

The girls say that their motivation to win is always matched by their coaches.

“It feels so good walking onto the court knowing that you have coaches who want to win just as bad, if not more, than you do,” said Murray. “They’re willing to give everything.”

The girls are most excited about finally stepping out there and earning what they’ve been working for.

“I don’t have just one thing to be excited about,” said Hardiman. “I’m just ready to start playing games and see how great we really can be.”