Spartans, what is your profession?
Apparently, for the Lady Spartans basketball team, that profession is making it to Dtates. This past weekend the girls competed in the VHSL 6-A Semi-Finals in Richmond, where they lost after a valiant battle with sports powerhouse Cosby High School.
The girls’ phenomenal season came to an end with a heart-wrenching loss of 36-27. Playing their hearts out in front of a packed stadium, the Lady Spartans brought pride to WS.
The Lady Spartans reached States for the second time in three years after rocketing through their competition and ended the season with a record of 25-2. They brought home a conference title, beating rivals TC Williams 58-31, and eventually made it to the Regional Finals, where they lost to Stonewall Jackson 64-54.
“This year is different than other teams that I have coached in the past,” said head coach Bill Gibson. “They really know how to play well together, and we have someone different that can step up at any given night.”
With such a deep roster, production can come from anywhere. Senior Amy Berglund, who became WS’ all-time leading scorer, led the way as a captain with 17.6 ppg.
Junior Emily Reba stepped up in the regional quarter-finals against Westfield, coming off the bench and scoring 15 points. No matter who is scoring, their success on the courts is bringing the Spartan community together once again.
“Girls basketball games were a blast to attend,” said senior Niko Marcich. “Usually, girls’ sports don’t get the recognition that they deserve, but being part of the hypesquad was a highlight of my year.”
Students and faculty alike relished in seeing the Lady Spartans represent on such a large stage; WS was behind the girls 100 percent.
“Spartan Basketball is a family. No matter who does well, guys or girls, it’s all the same to us. We’re so proud to see the girls’ team do so well,” said senior Trier Mortlock, a boys basketball player and captain.
The girls team made it through the good times and bad, going 16-0 to start the season, but then experiencing a heartbreaking loss at TC Williams and then bouncing back to reach the Regional Finals without losing another game. Their season may have ended earlier than they would have liked, but when the girls returned to WS on Saturday, they returned with their heads held high.
“We’re all sisters on the team,” says Reba. “I will always remember these girls as my family. All good teams face adversity, but the truly great ones come through. I know we’ll come back better than ever next year, you can count on that.”