HOOP HURRAY
Jenni (14) joins Rose (16) at pro side Pride
Two young basketball stars have signed for Scotland’s only professional women’s team for the upcoming season.
Jenni Torrance and Rose Harvey, both pupils at The James Young High School, will be suiting up for the Caledonia Pride of the Women’s British Basketball League which gets underway next month.
While it’s a second season at the Edinburgh-based club for 16-year-old Rose, fellow Livingston lass Jenni will be entering her rookie season aged just 14.
It caps off a magical few months for her that included an invite to the Jr. NBA camp during the summer – and she is aiming to take full advantage of an ‘amazing’ opportunity to compete in the top league in British basketball.
Jenni said: “I’m really excited to be joining the Pride. It’s an amazing opportunity that not many people get so I want to make sure I make the most of it.
“I’ll be part of the team and training with them all the time but I’ll probably get quite limited minutes in the games.
“But it’s an amazing chance for me to be amongst the best players in the country and really improve my game and try to take it to the next level.”
She added: “Rose was there last season so she’s told me a bit about what to expect and how high the standard is at the club and within the league.
“We have four training sessions a week and then two or three strength and conditioning sessions as well so it’s an exciting challenge.
“I’ll train as hard as possible and try to improve my game every week. It will be a great opportunity for me to train against the top players in Scotland.”
As for Rose, she says the aim is to keep pushing for more playing time after taking a huge leap forward last term.
She said: “I’m delighted to be back with the Pride. I really enjoyed it last year and I’m looking forward to another season and another opportunity to keep getting better and trying to improve my game.
“Over the course of last season I was able to learn so much about the game and improve massively. Being able to play alongside the experienced players at Pride and get top coaching helped.
“I’ll be working my hardest for myself and the team. I’m a wee bit more aware of what’s expected this season and how it all works so hopefully I can continue to improve my game all the time and push for more minutes in what is a really top league.”
Pride coach Bart Sengers hailed the young duo, saying: “Rose will get another year of experience but this time as a full member of the team.
“Jenni has shown a lot of promise and has clear ambitions. I am excited to help her reach her goals.”