The girls basketball team finished one of its strongest seasons in years after competing in the State basketball quarterfinals for the first time since 2017.

 

After winning both substate games, the Lions had a fighting chance at the state championship, but lost in the quarterfinal game, with a final score of 58-49.

 

While unsuccessful in its championship bid, the team finished with a winning record of 18-5.The Lions advanced to state after dominating Wichita North 65-39 at home for a convincing sub-state win.

 

“I wasn’t surprised, because we worked hard for it,” senior Amaya Marshall said. “Since I’ve been in high school we haven’t won a single substate game, so to win both of them and be able to go to state is pretty crazy.”

 

The team worked hard for its success this season, but after struggling through the effects that the COVID 19 pandemic had on athletic programs, junior Destiny Savannah says the team has been more determined than ever.

 

“We have had a huge turn around, especially effort wise, we’re a lot more motivated now,” Savannah said. “We have better days, we haven’t been sitting behind a screen and then having to go to practice.”

 

Finding success in the post season was often more challenging than a run of the mill regular season game. To prepare for this, the team’s focus had to shift in practice, while also keeping up the energy and stamina after what was already a long season.

 

“We’ve just been listening to our bodies doing at practice what we needed to do,” Marshall said. “Our practices now are a little more specialized to the team we’re going to play. Our feet are full down on the gas pedal.”

 

The team’s success this yearnot only led them to state, but it also earned them several places in the All Sunflower League, where Brynnae Johnson placed in the first team. Also recognized were Amaya Marshall, second team; Lucy Hardy, third team; and Daphne Bracker Sturm, Serenity Keo, Cyrenity Hardy-Billy, honorable mentions.

 

Coach Jeff Dickson was also recognized as the Sunflower League Coach of the Year.“It was really good,” Johnson said.  “It showed that the work I put into the game wasn’t for nothing, and that others were taking notice of the things I’m doing.”

 

This was one of the most successful seasons the team had seen in recent history, and Coach Dickson said there was only more to come.

 

“Our goals are the same every year,” Dickson said. “We want to out work our opponents, we want every girl in our program to improve so much they would dominate this years version of themselves in a game.”

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