How can we prepare this team to succeed?

Katie Roth
A fun loss against a very interesting Pope Prep team, 19-34.
The best way to annoy me is to focus on the other team (that's my job). A player’s job is to play their game and then make adjustments as the game goes on/as they learn more about the opposing team. But to make preconceived notions based on looks or reputation of a team is going to lead to bad starts. That nerves, excitement, plus seeing a bunch of middle schoolers be over 5’8” led to early self doubt and a losing mindset. The first quarter reflected that negative mindset. However, throughout the second quarter a collective team effort – being aggressive and having great help-side defense – brought the game game closer at half time. What caused the most damage was Pope Prep throwing a diamond press at us. Unfortunately I did not prepare them for that type of press, so that extra pressure led to steals and extra possessions for Pope Prep. While we were able to make some adjustments we weren’t able to find that momentum again and make a concerted push as a team to get the game back to single digits. Despite the loss, this game energized our team. We are focusing on having that positive, growth mindset and finding ways we can grow every game, every practice, and every drill. I’m super excited for our growth, so come along for the ride!  

FG 2s: 9/30 → We need to take our time and make the easy shots & need to shoot more
FG 3s: 0/11 → We'll get better at 3s, but glad we have the confidence to shoot them! 
Steals: 5 → Such an incredible stat!!!
TOs: 13 → For MS this is a solid number, ideally we get this to be 9 or 10, but this is a great place to start, but we will be focusing on dribbling under pressure and how to make better passes
Team Fouls: 22 → Just a bad stat, we can't foul this much and limit our players playing time
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More USN News

List of 3 news stories.

  • Construction progress as of August 7, 2026.

    Back Lawn transforms with turf field, track

    Expect to see an active construction site as students, families, and faculty return to the Edgehill Campus. Progress continues on USN's most anticipated campus improvement of summer 2026.
    Read More
  • In June 2026, a group of USN students spent two weeks in Mendoza, Argentina through a program organized by Sister Cities Nashville.

    Curricular travel opportunities return for the 2026-2027 school year

    University School of Nashville is excited to announce the return of curricular travel opportunities. Student applications for the 2026-2026 school year will open Friday, August 21, 2026. Additional details, including, financial aid processes, and application timelines, will be shared with families soon.
    Please contact K-12 Director of Experiential Learning Kalee Barbis with any questions, kbarbis@usn.org.
    Read More

  • Back-to-school Popsicle Party cancelled

    Mother Nature is not cooperating for our annual Popsicle Party. Depending on which weather app you use, actual and feels-like temperatures are 98 to 101 and higher. Under these conditions, we would limit student activities, so, in the interest of everyone's health and well-being, we are going to cancell our gathering at the River Campus. There is just not enough shade and certainly no air conditioning to bring relief to hundreds of USN families. Thank you for understanding. We look forward to seeing you in a few days for the start of our new school year.
    Read More
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Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212

Phone:  615-321-8000
Fax:       615-321-0889 
Email:    info@usn.org

River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218

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USN Mission: 
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.