Losing players is never easy for any coach, but it is an inevitable part of coaching. The sting from the loss hurts far more for some, than for others.
In my first season as the head coach of the girls program, I had nine players expected to return from a team that had not only won back-to-back conference championships the previous seasons, but also finished 3rd & 4th at Nationals. The major pieces would already be in-place for another great season. However, by the first day school, six of those nine under-classmen, including a talented basketball-phenom who had set every school record, all transferred to public schools.
When that first season finally started, there were nine new faces on the team, and from that young team, three sophomores were called upon to step-up to lead and help shape the future of the girls program at Covenant. And what a legacy they helped create.
A 66-20 record. Won two conference championships, two East Region championships and made two NACA National Final Four appearances. All three were named to the NACA National Final Four All-Tournament Team. Two were three-time All-Conference Players and all three have their names etched in the Top 10 All-Time lists for the girls program and one signed a scholarship offer to play in college.
On Friday night, those three will leave the campus as graduates, and by doing so, they pass the torch into the waiting hands of the next group of young leaders with the heavy responsibility of ensuring that the legacy continues.
Chelsea, Jess & Haley... we're going to miss you!
4:13
HOORA!
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