The girls’ varsity basketball team finished 23-5 in the regular season, led by Varsity Coach Jackie Edwards, who, in her sixth season has led the team to a second straight district championship. Since taking over as the Bearkats coach in 2012 and finishing 1-26 in 2014, Edwards has helped build the team in to a playoff contender. However, the Bearkats season came to end against Round Rock Westwood on February 16th.
“It was a great year,” Edwards said. “I’m really happy with how we did, the year flew by.”
In the second round of the playoffs, the teams 16 game win streak came to an end, with the final score 43-54.
“They packed the paint, we weren’t very aggressive in drawing fouls, and we just weren’t able to hit any outside shots to make them unpack the paint,” Edwards said.
However, it was a fun season, filled with many ups, including a district title, a trip to the playoffs and a home win over Klein Oak.
“Going to the playoffs for the second time, claiming district champs was amazing,” junior Guard Ziayear Banks said.
The game also signified the end of many of the players durations as a Bearkat. For many seniors, it was an emotional moment wearing the Bearkat uniform in game for the last time.
“It was definitely a heartbreaker,” senior Center Maggie Stephenson said. “We had a chance to win it, and it was a chance at revenge from last year. It was really sad playing with those girls for the last time.”
For everyone involved however, it’s time to look forward to the future; for the coaches it’s time to look forward and prepare the juniors for the next season.
“They [the junior players] are great kids,” Edwards said. “They have a great attitude, a great work ethic, and they work hard.”
For many of the seniors on the team, this isn’t the end of their career as athletes. It’s just time to move to a new chapter in their lives.
“I’ll be playing at Texas Woman’s University in Denton,” Stephenson said. “I hope to make an impact there and grow as a player. I’m excited.”