The girls’ basketball team has had quite the season this year, with a record of 26-7. Despite starting the season with a loss against the Warriors of Waubonsie Valley High School, this team of girls was able to go undefeated in the DuKane Conference Tournament for the first time in East history.
“Trying to find the type of team we were was a challenge because we hadn’t all played together,” said senior Corinne Reed, “so figuring out our strengths and putting them together was difficult, but once we figured it out, we were unstoppable.”
This combination of strengths would largely benefit the team as they proceeded to win their second game against the Mustangs of Downers Grove South with a score of 60-22. The team’s ability to work together and persevere would be essential as the season went on.
As they got closer to the DuKane Conference Tournament, the team continued to work hard and improve. This would pay off as the team would go undefeated. The basketball team is now the third team to ever go undefeated in the girls’ DuKane Basketball Conference. Another season highlight was when the team played against the Bulldogs of Batavia High School at the Support the Troops game. The Saints beat the Bulldogs with a score of 43-37.
One of the girls’ greatest challenges of the season would be playing against their cross-town rivals at St. Charles North High School for the Women’s Sports Legacy Night game. However, this game would end up being one of the most exciting moments of the season as the girls’ strengths would end up coming together to help them win the game with a score of 53-49.
“We were down the entire time and were able to stick together and come back from behind to win,” said freshman Brooklyn Schilb. The large crowd created an exciting environment as women from five decades of sports in St. Charles cheered on the team.
“It was a big crowd and a close game. We didn’t have a great game, but the outcome was worth it,” said freshman Kathlyn Brainbridge.
The team’s season unfortunately came to an end at the sectional semi-final against the Hilltoppers of Glenbard West High School where they lost with a close score of 32-35.
This season provided the players with various opportunities for growth on and off the court. Brainbridge partially attributed her growth this season to the team’s seniors, saying, “I think I have grown a lot this season, especially with court knowledge, the seniors on this team have so much knowledge to share about this game.”
Along with improving their basketball skills, the girls also learned skills that they can apply to their everyday lives. “I have become a different leader because you aren’t working with all the same people, everyone is different, and then you also have coaches who you still have to go through as well,” said Reed.
Next year, the team will face major changes as seniors leave and new freshmen come in. Reed and senior Sofia O’Sullivan both plan to play at the collegiate level. Reed will be playing for the University of Akron and O’Sullivan will be playing for DePauw University.
The freshmen, sophomores and juniors hope to have an even better season next year and hope to keep some of the team’s current qualities. “This year we were able to be resilient and stick together really well,” said Schilb, “so just making sure that we keep up with the special environment we created this year is what I hope to replicate next year.”
