345 days ago, girls’ basketball won their second state title in a row.
And now, after finishing their 2024-2025 district season with a 12-2 record and finishing second in District 11-5A, the playoffs begin Monday at 6:30 p.m. when the Redhawks face the Wakeland Wolverines at Independence.
Friday marked the 100th practice of varsity girls basketball.
100 practices that have led them to their first playoff game.
A year ago the team was very different with different players and now the mindset going to playoffs looks different as well.
“Our team is vastly different than it was a year ago. Not that we’re not talented this year, but our talent is in different places,” head coach Ross Reedy said. “Not to not to say anything negative about years past or anything like that, but this group is a lot of fun. We are playing a lot more close games as a result, but, but but yeah, it’s a yes. We’re wildly different than we were a year ago.”
Many players on this year’s team have had to step up with junior Lilian Johnson the Redhawks only returning starter from the two time defending state champions.
“This year I’ve had to step up a little bit and, I think it’s a little bit more pressure,” Johnson said. “But also it’s a little more, it’s a little more exciting to do things like score more points can be exciting sometimes, but I think I’m only in this position because of my teammates around me. And I just happen to be the one that has this role. Thank you, thank you.”
Throughout this season, the team has had to adapt and rebuild according to varsity captain, senior Kathryn Murphy
“It’s always fun knowing that, like, we won state the year before, and so, it’s tough. It’s tough having that expectation to be expected to go back again,” Murphy said. “Our goal is alwats that state championship game, but it’s harder for sure when we have new people and the program’s different.
For Reedy, no matter who’s on the team, the expectations are always the same.
“You know, you start it, you come in, you have the number one ranking and it’s always based off,” Reedy said. “You know, there’s kind of a few things that we look forward to. We want to get 100 practices in which we’ll get 100 practices. Then on Monday, right before our game, we always want to play at least till Valentine’s Day. And so you got to win a playoff game to play them on Valentine’s Day and after that you just need the ball to bounce your way a little bit. You need to make sure that you lock into your game plan. And then you gotta be able to execute”
With the playoffs starting Monday, the team is prepared for what’s to come.
“We’re ready for the playoffs. We’re ready for the games. A lot of the kids have been here before. Several kids on our team have, you know, been in long playoff runs. It is a little bit different this year with the split divisions,” Reedy said. “Not knowing your opponent that does throw things in the air a little bit, you know, because you’re you’re kind of doing your base packaging so that you can prepare for either team, knowing that you’re going to have to tweak things based off who that opponent ends up being.”
But no matter what happens over these next few weeks, Murphy plans on making the most of it.
“I’m not going to be playing in college, so this could be my last time playing basketball,” Murphy said. “I hope, you know, just all these playoff games because they’re not guaranteed that year. And you know, win and move on to the next game. I’m going to leave everything I have out on that court. And you know, just give it my best shot and also have fun and enjoy the moment because it’s going to go by quickly.”
