Currently ranked second in the country, the Archbishop Mitty Women’s Basketball Team is looking to continue their success and claim their spot as the best in the nation. While much of the team’s recent dominance can be attributed to the sheer talent of the program, one foundation of the team’s success lies in its focus on nutrition.
Being the best team in the country requires every player to be in peak condition. Consequently, Head Coach Sue Phillips holds the team to high standards for maintaining peak performance. If a player isn’t able to run a “black to black”—sideline to sideline 10 times—while dribbling the ball in under 40 seconds, they cannot start. However, maintaining their maximum fitness results in large part from what they put into their bodies. Nutrition is a crucial factor that allows them to do these nonstop drills in practice without tiring so quickly. Brett Nichols, the strength and conditioning coach, enhances the team’s core strength and diet, hoping to create lifelong healthy habits. He has a nutrition plan set up for the team. For example, a certain amount of carbs, a certain amount of protein, a certain amount of simple carbs, and a certain kind of fat. Of course, stamina conditioning plays an important role to get players ready for games, and nutrition is a big piece of the puzzle when it comes to having that stamina.
Senior Jordan Bowar said that on game day, players send a breakfast photo to Coach Phillips or Coach Nichols to see if their meal is nourishing and to understand what their body needs to perform on a day-to-day basis. After they send the photos in, Coach Nichols will tell the players if they need more carbs or protein so they can keep a healthy routine. Also on game day, the team gets candy at a nearby 7/11 right before the game, a tradition they call “pick-me-ups”. Though candy may seem counterintuitive, the snack actually gives the players a little energy boost before games and calms them down.
The importance of nutrition is also seen on the professional level. Reigning WNBA MVP and Finals Winner Breanna Stewart has a nutrition intake of around 60% carbohydrates, 15-20% protein, and a minimal amount of fats. Her breakfast consists of toast with cream cheese, an omelet, and orange juice. This allows her to cover protein, carbs, and fat all in this meal. Eggs are a common supplement in breakfast for the Mitty team as well since they covers both protein and fat. Eating enough carbohydrates is especially important for the high-intensity activity during games.
Another aspect of a nutritional diet is frequent hydration. The team makes sure to drink more water off of the court than the amount consumed during games and practices. On the court, many players drink energy and sports drinks for the intense conditioning sessions. Some of these drinks are especially designed to be absorbed faster than water which prevents dehydration, electrolyte loss, and glycogen depletion.
The coaches have created a comprehensive nutrition program similar to the nutrition plans of pro-level athletes in order to prepare their players for college basketball and beyond. After losing to Etiwanda twice in the last 2 years of the CIF Open Division Championship, the team is striving to win it all this year, and their focus on nutrition is a crucial cog in their pursuit.