Basketball Builds Mind, Body, and Character for Girls Team

Junior Aviah Mitchell pushes the ball up the court during a scrimmage win against Brooklyn Prospect Charter on Jan 9. *Photo: Katherine Omari*

By LILY DENG

Bbbzzzttt! Do you hear that? It’s the electrifying buzz of the Lady Hornets on the fierce court! Though the girls have had an up-and-down season, the wins and fun moments have made this campaign a memorable one.

For their Senior Night match on February 5, the team overpowered Murrow High School by a score of 61-26 in the C-Gym, ending on a high note.

“It feels so surreal” that the season is concluding, said point guard Kailin Gordon ‘26. “I thought it would take ages for me to get to this point.”

“I remember when we won our first game after going against a better team,” she said. “It fueled us to keep our heads for the next games. Being in the 4A division is hard, and you start to think ‘we aren’t going to win any games,’ but we continued to win even if the games weren’t on our PSAL schedule.”

From start to finish, the team displayed resilience, maturity, and a willingness to grow, said Mr. Michael Moore, the team’s coach, adding, “That kind of perseverance says more about a team than any statistic ever could.”

Every practice, the Lady Hornets tirelessly dedicated themselves. “I was just thinking about how I can become better so we can get more wins,” said shooting guard Djumelly Saint Jean ‘27.

Basketball keeps the girls on their toes and maximizes their conditioning. “It definitely boosted my stamina and my lung capacity, with all the running,” said Iris Lin ‘27.

The sport has also played a pivotal role in their mental wellbeing. Sophomore Nicole Shostak said it helped her gain confidence and gave her something to “look forward to” every day.

“It’s like my coping mechanism,” said Lin. “I truly feel at peace whenever the ball is in my hands. I also play for the coaches in my life and for myself because I know there’s a ton of support out there for me.”

But life isn’t just on the court. “Coach Moore teaches me about how the outside world is, and that life is not easy, that it doesn’t always go your way,” said Saint Jean. “When I come late or miss practice, there are consequences to that. He always compares it to having a job, because you can't be late to your job or they will reduce your paycheck.”

With seniors Gordon and Shayla Bowen leaving the squad, they extended their thanks to Mr. Moore for “not only pushing us physically but also mentally to put our best efforts out on the court,” said Gordon.

For the younger members, it’s important to know that “making mistakes is a part of improvement, and to not get discouraged or too much in your head,” said Bowen. “And always remember to have fun.”

“I hope my younger teammates are able to work on their conditioning and control their breathing, have mental toughness through games and practice, and continue to take care of themselves,” said Gordon.

And from the coach to players, “the most important game you will ever play isn’t on this court. It’s the Game of Life,” said Mr. Moore. “If you walk away stronger in character and more committed to something bigger than yourself, then the game has already named a winner.”