Our Lady Rams Basketball team has been in 3 tournament championships, winning 2 of the 3, won Regionals and Sectionals, played in the first Super-Sectional game since 2000, and also broke the school record for most wins in a season, ending with a record of 29-4. After the heartbreaking loss against Quincy-Notre Dame, only losing by one point, the players reflect on what an amazing season they had.
Winning Sectionals is a goal that most of these girls have had set since their freshman year and finally reaching it was remarkable, especially their senior season.
“I felt all the emotions. This is something we have been working for since our freshman year,” said Josie Shirley, ‘25, talking about how she felt after defeating Marion in the Sectional Championship.
Beating the school record is equally as impressive, because having tied it in previous years made it even more fulfilling to finally reach it.
“It’s been a goal for a long time to get that record. We tied it and came close to it but we finally did it,” Jeff Lonnon, MV Lady Rams head coach, said.
The reason behind being able to win this many games is because of “hard work, passion, and working really well together and having the connection,” said Arwyn Wilkey, ‘27, who started varsity this season.
While this season is memorable for the history books, it was filled with loving memories of the team throughout it all. “Being able to get closer with the people who knew how I felt and just building my friendships with them and creating many memories,” Jerica Newell, ‘26, sharing her favorite moments of the season.
Hannah Hampton, ‘27, said, “Having the opportunity to ride around Mount Vernon being led by a fire truck and police cars and us girls were out the windows waving and listening to music,” was her favorite part of the season.
“It was definitely when we beat the school record,” said Arwyn Wilkey, ‘27. There were so many tight games the Lady Rams pulled through this season, including a game against Highland in the Breese Central Shootout.
“Playing against Highland when Kamaree banked in the winning shot,” was Newell’s favorite game of the season.
“My most memorable game was the Benton Tournament Championship game. It was such a special game for us because we had won it 3 years in a row and this was our year to bring home the first-place trophy. That game was the hardest-fought game I’ve played in my entire career. I feel like every single person that played that night played with everything they had. We played with our hearts and we played as a team and it was the best feeling when we finally won,” Josie Shirley, ‘25, said about the game versus Civic Memorial.
As the season came to a close, with the devastating loss as the final game of the season, many seniors are reflecting on their four years of playing as an MV Ram.
“I will never forget all the memories this team created and I’m sad that it was my last year; this will be something I will cherish throughout life,” said Kamaree Pollard, ‘25.
“My favorite memory,” said Melaina Zedalis, ‘25, “ was being able to play with all my girls and get one last season together.”
Wilkey said she felt unsettled after the final game because she felt very sick and couldn’t play her best. She felt as though she let her team down, especially the seniors, but she was a critical part of this season and helped pave the way for MV to become Sectional Champions.
The final game of the season also brought some harsh realities. Jami Williams, freshmen coach, said “The end of the season loss is a pain that no one can help heal, but once the tears and emotions settled and I had time to reflect on the season more, I could do nothing but smile! All the wins are great and exciting, but what makes me smile and have the most joy from the season are the stories, memories, and bonds I have made with the team.”
Paige Powers, ‘26, said, “It was heartbreaking, I love the seniors and the team we have so much. It made me realize the people I’ve been playing basketball with for three years will be gone next year.”
MV is exceptionally proud of the Lady Rams for being such an exceptional team this year, and working diligently this season to be written in history for breaking records, bringing home phenomenal amounts of trophies, and finishing up their season with such an extraordinary game, where every player played their hardest.
