Santa Fe Girls Basketball to Rebuild After Challenging Season

Santa Fe High School’s girls basketball team enters the 2026-27 season with an opportunity to establish a fresh identity with a roster loaded with new players.

Only one player returns, as the Raiders face the challenge of building chemistry while working toward a more competitive season under coach Dennis Hooks.

Santa Fe, 4-17 last season, began to put in the work over the summer, emphasizing preparation and developing relationships among players.

“We start off with a summer program,” Hooks said. “That’s one of the biggest things.”

Hooks has been impressed by the energy and effort of his new players.

“We only have one returning player, which is Trinity right here,” Hooks said, referring to Trinity Curtis, a senior. “But I love the kids that we got to come in. They give a lot of energy, play hard, love battle.”

The Raiders are also aiming to establish a stronger team culture after struggling to find stability in recent seasons. For Hooks, that begins with creating an environment where players support each other and compete every day.

“Just trying to build a family-like type of program,” Hooks said. “Everybody care about each other. Just make sure we compete every day.”

Santa Fe’s previous season ended with a five-point loss to Crystal River in the district tournament. However, with almost an entirely different roster taking the court this year, Hooks recognizes that the Raiders are starting a new chapter.

Curtis hopes to provide leadership as her younger teammates adjust to the program. She emphasized the importance of encouraging her teammates, motivating one another and pushing themselves throughout the season.

The Raiders have also increased their offseason workload in preparation for the upcoming schedule.

“We worked like extra hard over the summer,” Curtis said. “We put in more work than we actually did last year.”

With matchups against local opponents, including Gainesville High School, on their minds, the Raiders are eager to see how their preparation translates into competition.

This season is about more than an opportunity to improve its record. With a new group of players learning to compete, the Raiders hope their summer work and growing chemistry can lay the foundation for a stronger program.

Santa Fe opens the regular season at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 19 in Alachua against Trenton.

Category: High School Sports, Santa Fe High School