GRC Hoops has ended a very successful 24-25 season.
For just the third time in program history, they made the state championship.
Head Coach Robbie Graham talked about the significance of this game for the program.
“We have some great kids that work very hard. They’re really fun to be around and they get along great together,” said Graham. “They’re such a competitive group and for them, it was great to get to that game. It was a tremendous season for our girls and to stand on that court on Saturday night to compete for the state championship was definitely a reward for their hard work, dedication and determination.”
While the Cards ultimately fell short, losing 65-60 to Sacred Heart, the game meant so much to the community.
“It’s something that our community can remember. It’s the third time in the history of our program that the GRC girls basketball team has played in the state championship,” said Graham. “The community support was unbelievable at the game. When you run out of the tunnel and you see all that red and then you know that it’s there to support you and your program, it definitely gives you chills.
Graham detailed why this year’s team was so special.
“They are just so resilient. Through injuries, illness, and sickness, they’ve stayed together,” said Graham. “There was not a time this year where we had our entire roster there to play a game, maybe even practice. Things happened throughout the course of the season. They still competed, they still played hard and ultimately ended up playing for a state championship.”
Another aspect that made the team special was the seniors.
They talked about what it meant to represent GRC Hoops.
“It means a lot to be here,” said forward Khania Jones. “The support system and the sisterhood between our team has been incredible and meant so much to me.”
“It meant a lot. I just love GRC Hoops and they’ve taught me so much,” added forward Amyah Maxwell. I’m just glad that I played with them for my last year and had such a great experience.”
In their time at GRC, these seniors showed Kentucky how to win. They won the regional championship all four years of their high school career.
“It was great to win regions all four years because not a lot of people get to do that,” said senior forward Ciara Byars. “And being able to go to Rupp and play is a surreal experience, and it’s different each and every year, no matter the team. So just being able to accomplish that is really big and important to me.”
Added Madelyn Settles, “Winning region all four years of my high school career was so much fun. At the beginning of every season we set goals and one of them is to win region. Being able to accomplish that goal is so rewarding and to be able to do it with my best friends makes it even better.”
This season’s team won 28 games. It took hard work every single day to get to where this team needed to be.
“It took a lot out of us,” said Jones. “Having six or seven practices a week for two hours every day, being pushed to the max and beyond from Coach Graham, it took a lot. Even the hard days meant a lot because they got us where we needed to be.”
All the blood sweat and tears helped guide this team to their third-ever state championship appearance.
“Playing in the program’s third state championship was a dream come true,” said Settles. “It was a surreal experience to be part of such a historical moment. Seeing how many people came to watch that game showed me even how more important it was for the Winchester community and how special our team really was.”
Despite all the winning, GRC Hoops has done a lot for the athletes off the court, too.
“It’s taught me the value of relationships and friendships,” said Byars. “You meet some of your best friends here and it’s just so much more than basketball and everything that you can get from the outside world.”
It’s clear this program means so much to everyone involved.
Coach Graham talked about how to ensure their success continues into next season.
“We just had a conversation. It’s like when you take a bite of that dessert or your favorite food or whatever, you get one little bite of it and now you want a whole lot more of it,” said Graham. “So we’re a step away and the goal is next year to take that next step. We bring back a lot and these kids are hard workers and they’re hungry. They want to win. That’s the goal.”
