After a season which ended with a .500 record at 12-12 and a playoff run to the district semifinals with new head coach Hugh Bain at the helm, players on the girls’ varsity basketball team reflect on the past year with varying tones. The seasons leading scorer, eighth-grader Erynn M, looked on the year as one in which the squad developed its ability to work as a team more effectively. 

“Everyone got touches on the ball and we moved the ball really well together,” she said.

Freshman Emily Marshall said she and her teammates are mostly pleased with their work throughout the season, but feels unhappy that they missed out on a chance to compete in the regional tournament. Schools automatically are qualified for regionals if they win the district, but teams that did not take the district crown can be selected to compete in the tournament by the FHSAA in additional slots.

“We wish we could have had that bus to regionals,” Marshall said. “Overall, we grew well as a team and got better as the season went on.”

Senior Abby Hedrick said the season ending for her has been a “bittersweet” feeling. 

“I wouldn’t have wanted to end my career with any other team,” Hedrick said. “I am very happy with all the memories I have made in the program and am thankful for all the friends that basketball helped bring together.”

Erynn said she was happy with the addition of Coach Bain. 

“I like him a lot,” Erynn said. “He’s really nice. But sometimes he’s too nice and he just needs to stop sugarcoating things.”

Marshall thought Bain’s coaching style allowed the team to bond together at a level that the team was not able to under the previous coach. 

“Coach Hugh was just able to bring us together as a team,” Marshall said. “He let us do way more team bonding activities and even after we lost he still made everyone feel like we were a part of the team.”

Hedrick said she thinks Bain’s presence will help bring the team’s success in the future. 

“He brought a positive attitude and always believed in us,” Hedrick said. “He also created many opportunities to visit college teams and attend leadership conventions. I think he will help the program tremendously in the years to come. 

By Jack Grimison