Basketball girls win district two years in a row

Kieron Hunter

More stories from Kieron Hunter

The experience
May 7, 2018
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photo credit: Donna Sheffield

Above the rim // Cutting the net, senior Ka’tlynn Sheffield takes a piece of memorabilia to remember the hard work the team put in to become district champs. “Cutting the net was really cool to me because last year we didn’t get to,” senior Morgan Lee said.

Basketball has a tradition dating back to the 1940s–when winning a National Championship, a Conference title, or in this case, the girls winning another district title, they cut the basketball net down.

Each member of the team, from the players to coaches, even the training staff was able to get up on the ladder and snip a tangible piece of this memory from the net.

I hung my piece of the net in my room as a reminder of the hard work we put in this season and the memories I have with the girls over the years.

— Morgan Lee, senior

“Cutting the net was really cool to me because last year we didn’t get to. I hung my piece of the net in my room as a reminder of the hard work we put in this season and the memories I have with the girls over the years,” senior Morgan Lee said.

At the start of the game, seniors Kymora Westerfield, Maegan and Morgan Lee, Ka’tlynn Sheffield and Alyssa Brown were recognized with their parents for academic achievements, favorite moments with team members and their college choices.

“I’m going to miss all the bus rides back home with my teammates, playing music, singing at the top of our lungs. The little moments like that, I’ll never forget,” Sheffield said.

The girls had home turf advantage at the fierce game Feb. 6, giving them a reason to play hard and come out with the win. After pressing the gas for four quarters, the girls won 63-35 against Highland Park.

“Hard work and preparation is what we had to go through to become district champs again,” Sheffield said. “Also, we all had the mentality that we had to win,” Westerfield said.

The team will travel to Longview, to take on Pine Tree in the first round of playoffs Feb. 12 at 7 p.m.

“They have worked their tails off together and have continually pushed to reach and exceed their goals. I’m blessed to work with them every day and love the journey we have been on together,” said Meaghan Hodapp, varsity girls basketball coach.