KIernan McCloskey '13, Captain
Learning to Lead
A leader is someone who can take the talents and goals of a collection of people and orchestrate them to work together for the good of the group. While our GA girls’ basketball program is known both locally and nationally for the excellent teams and players that we produce, I think that one of the greatest skills that our coaches teach us each season is how to lead. From the beginning of my time at GA, it was made obvious to me that leadership is a quality that we all should strive for. We each have the ability to lead in one way or another and part of the goal of our oaches is to bring out the leader in us.
I think that one of the most rewarding things about leadership is that there are many ways in which we can lead and many characteristics that make a great leader. John Wooden was regarded as the greatest basketball coach of all time. He published a book in which he defined his pyramid of success. Within the pyramid, Coach Wooden highlighted fifteen traits that can help guide us as we look for success both on the court and off. The five traits that build the foundation of the pyramid and represent the first steps to success are industriousness, friendship, loyalty, cooperation, and enthusiasm.
Industriousness refers to the idea of working hard and leading through our actions. Starting with the example of older players, the hard work that all GA basketball players put in each and every day serves to inspire ourselves and our teammates to push each other farther than we could imagine.
When speaking of friendship, Coach Wooden said, “Strive to build a team filled with camaraderie and respect.” As part of the GA basketball program, our teammates act as our sisters and best friends. We play so well together on the court because of the
bond that we have off the court. And while our captains and upperclassmen act in a position of leadership, they do so as our friends and peers.
With the foundational characteristic of loyalty, Coach Wooden said, “Be true to yourself. Be true to those you lead.” As the example of the leaders who came before our senior class now have shown, by relying on each other and by trusting in the power of working together, we have seen great success.
Cooperation within a team shows the desire to play for more than yourself. In our GA basketball program, beginning with the coaches and running all the way through the players, we havea sense of pride in the accomplishments of our team. No individual goals or agenda ever come before the good of our teammates. We care about each other and put the team’s best interests ahead of our own.
Finally, Coach Wooden said of enthusiasm, “Your energy and enjoyment, drive and dedication will stimulate and greatly inspire others.” As leaders of this basketball team, our senior class hopes that our love of the game and our true happiness at being a part of such a great tradition will rub off. We cannot wait to enjoy the journey of this season with our whole team.
Dempsey Cooper ’13, Captain, Friendships
Basketball has given me so many things since the day I started playing. One of those things is the many friendships that I have gained. I really started to cherish those friendships here at GA. During my many AAU seasons I never really had to say goodbye to anyone, minus a few, because I knew that I was always going to see them next season. But freshman year I realized that I would have to say goodbye to a class of seniors every single year. It got harder and harder as the years progressed, last year being the hardest. I had known Sarah since sixth grade and Jaryn is basically my sister. Saying goodbye to them and watching them graduate was extremely difficult. Playing with them here for three years gave me so many memories. I share these memories with my own class, who have readily filled the shoes of the seniors before us. We have been through and shared ups and downs, thick and thin, laughs and cries, health and injuries and I am not only ecstatic to call them my teammates or my friends…I am priviledged to call them my family. As hard as last year was to say goodbye, this year is going to be ten times harder. We are the biggest class of seniors that has gone through 4 years of high school basketball together that I know and we are also the closest. I have known Fran since we were 11, Natalie and Kiernan since we were 12 or 13, and Mel and Ang I met freshman year. We all have a pretty great history together and we all clicked freshman year. You wouldn’t even know Kiernan came in sophomore year; she fit right into our motley crew.
Filming the video together, that you are about to see, is something that I will never forget. It shows how well we work together and trust each other. I am so lucky and grateful to be a part of our fun and crazy class. But before I get too emotional, the time to say goodbye is yet to come and I am so happy that we have another season ahead of us to suit up together. Every year I have watched our team turn into a family through the leadership of our seniors. And this year I am truly looking forward to watching and helping our team transform into a family. Being a part of this team is a special thing, so cherish it while you can and make the most of it because it goes by unbelievably fast.
Angela Upright ’13, Captain Team Traditions
The traditions we have on our team is what connects every past, present, and future GA Girls’ Basketball player. They are some of the things that Alumni remember most about their high school experiences, what present players look forward to all Fall long, and what I’m so excited to tell the new players about tonight. It would be easy for
me to just read a list of what we do every year as a team, but now that I’ve experienced everything for a few years now I’ve come to a greater appreciation of why we do them.
One of my favorite traditions is the Thanksgiving circle we do after practice before Thanksgiving. Everybody sits around in a circle, takes their shoes off and says what it would be like to walk in the person’s shoes next to them and says why they are thankful for that person. I remember freshman year, I was next to Coach Bender and Sarah
Armstrong ’12. I was so nervous for my turn because I never really had to talk in front of people and I was new and I just didn’t really get was going on. But, today, I still remember what I said and what they said about me. This
tradition has always brought our team closer because it shows everyone how much the people around them really care about them.
Travelling across the country together is another tradition we have. My freshman and sophomore year we went
to Naples, Florida and last year, and this year we are going to Georgia. Travelling with the team is one of the most fun experiences ever. Natalie experienced her first time flying freshman year, and Nat, Fran, and I flew across the country together and experienced our first First Class flying experiences. We get to compete against some of the best competition in the country which helps us grow as a team. We have tons of team meals and outings on the trip and it is so much fun.
Another tradition type thing is that we host the Make a Wish tournament. All of the proceeds benefit the Make a Wish foundation which grants wishes to children with terminal illnesses. What makes this such a special tournament is that it brings the whole GA community together.
Other notable traditions are the community service projects we do every year, the Team Pollyanna, the 6am practice, and the singing of “Oh Happy Day”. Now I don’t want to give too much a way about the season but I want to end my speech by telling you guys how truly excited I am for this season. I am so happy all of you guys are playing
and I’m really excited to continue and build upon the past traditions and make new ones as we go.
Fran Sweeney ’13, Captain
When I think about all of my high school memories, my mind constantly takes me to the basketball court. All of the basketball practices, games, and shooting sessions with my dad, gym classes, pep rallies, holiday programs, and senior step rehearsals bring me back to the place where I feel most at home. Yet, no matter how many events the gym holds, I remember it as the place where I became a part of the GA Girls Basketball program.
Being a part of this team is not just an activity, but is a part of me. I can’t imagine the person I would be today if I didn’t have this team, this school, and these experiences that have taught me so many crucial life lessons. It wasn’t always easy, and I wouldn’t expect it to be. Good things aren’t just handed to people, and sometimes you have to prove yourself to be deserving of the glory. GA lives on its tradition, and this tradition applies to basketball as well. Here, people wait their turn to be in the spotlight, step aside to give others the glory, because they know that the people in front of them have earned it. I have learned that your role on a team changes every season, no role is more or less important, but they are different nonetheless. I have been the bench warmer, the practice player, the starter, the shooter, the shorty (well I guess I have always had that role), but each role I had played made mea better player and person. I am certain of that.
I can’t help but smile when I think about when Coach Cath told us that when we get older “sometimes you’ll just pee a little,” or the time after we played Episcopal at their place after we had officially won the inter-ac and we danced and chanted in their locker room until it hurt. These are the memories that I will remember about high school. I won’t remember the essays I wrote or the tests I took; I will remember the times I spent with my friends on the athletic fields, the track, and especially on the basketball court.
Melanie Repella ’13
When I look out at this room, there is such a wide variety of people who are going to make up the girls basketball team this season, such a balance. Some of us worry about going to college, while some are still worrying about getting used to high school. Some of us are entering our final months here at Germantown Academy, while others have been here merely three months.
The academics and athletics at Germantown Academy are beyond excellent. That is why most of us have chosen to spend our high school career here. I think the athletics here are truly defined by the academics. Finding a balance to your academics, extra-curriculars, and athletics is the key to success. At GA, it’s impossible to do everything you want to do and to do everything well. But instead of that being something that makes GA undesirable, it is exactly the reason that so many people know and honor the
Germantown Academy name.
Basketball season is one of the busiest, and one of the best, seasons of the school year for basketball players. Beyond the normal
sports team practices, add in the bus rides, Saturday games and practices, those nights where we have late practice, and it’s clear that we dedicate a lot of time to the sport. Then we think about the homework, tests, quizzes, papers, and other schoolwork that needs to be done. We worry about this balance between basketball and school that we are trying so hard to maintain. When I start to worry about one or the other, I try extremely hard to remind myself of what I call “the balance” because the reality is athletes have doing this for decades at GA. The academy has always had the facilities to help each student succeed at their fullest potential. While basketball is a sport that can take you far in life, at the end of the day, the academic foundation that Germantown Academy will provide you with and the life lessons you will learn on the court or in the classroom are the necessities that will help you not only succeed in college, but beyond.
One of the best things that Germantown Academy has provided me with is the opportunity to be seen as a multi-faceted person. I am never just seen as “a girl who plays basketball” or “a girl who takes four AP classes”. As GA student athletes, we do not fit into any specific categories. So I urge everyone who is younger or new to GA to be open to the idea of expanding your horizons and to always try to maintain the balance. You will only be at Germantown Academy for four years. And while I wish I had figured
out the balance that I wanted, that worked for me, sooner, I am so glad that I finally did. But now the underclassmen have the opportunity to find their balance, and when doing so, I urge you to challenge yourself. These four years go by too fast, so I suggest that you always challenge yourself on the court and in the classroom because the truth is that the day you stop, you are not truly utilizing all that GA athletics and academics have to offer.
There is no basketball team that I would rather play for. I have been playing with most of the girls in my class since freshman
year, when we stepped out onto the JV court as our own self-proclaimed “fab five”. But beyond that, there is no school I would rather go to. I have been in the classroom with these girls for years, and I truly respect all that they have accomplished academically. I hope that by the time we get to the end of the season, all of the girls who will be playing GA basketball for the first
time, will agree that there is no other team, or school, they would rather be a part of.
Jaryn Garner '12 Senior Captain The Grand Scheme
From the outside looking in, our families, friends, spectators, fans and any others who may have witnessed any game played by the Germantown Academy Girls basketball team might normally comment on the success and history of the
program. But to us players, who have learned unforgettable and essential life lessons through the guidance of our coaches, the Germantown Academy Girls Basketball team is so much more than that. Sure, our coaches have groomed great players, we are all assets to a phenomenal program and we have a wide spread reputation as a winning team but it goes way beyond the X’s and O’s. Not too long ago I realized that all these years we have been maturing in the sport of basketball, but in the grand scheme of it all we have been shown the paths of becoming better people.
It all started with our first Christmas Tournament in Naples, Florida. We were there to play a few games with the hopes of returning with the championship banner. But that wasn’t our main focus once we arrived. Coach Retif introduced our team to eleven-year-old Andrea Constain, who had a life threatening disease but loved the sport of basketball. The team immediately fell in love with Andrea and we were touched when we saw how much it meant to her that we spent some time with her each day.
Andrea was one of many people whose lives we became a part of thanks to the selflessness we learned from Coach Retif. Along with that, our assistant Coach Nerney mentored the team on the importance and impact of our attitudes.
How our attitude is just as paramount in basketball as it is in life. We’ve learned how we must react to a tough loss the same way we can react to a bad grade. We have been taught to play on the string we have and it is essential in each of our lives.
The importance of putting others before ourselves, giving back, and the vast potential of our attitudes are just a few life lessons we have been taught. We have also learned the strength in building relationships, staying positive through adversity, and most of all no matter what it may be, giving 110%. We all put on the jersey and are honored to play for the Germantown Academy girls’ basketball program, but we leave the court and the program as better people and I am both thankful and blessed to have been a part of something so special. I dedicate this season and all my seasons to come, to Andrea Constain who passed away last year but will always have a place in my heart and in the Germantown Academy Girls Basketball program.
# 15 Sarah Armstrong '12, Senior Captain The Gift of Good Teammates
Everyone knows what a great girls’ basketball program GA has. We
have the best coaches, the best players, and so much drive to win. I have been
proud to be a part of such a talented team my entire career. However, the thing
we do not always talk about is how much our team loves to give back. Community
service just became a requirement here at GA, but it has always been an
integral part of this team. Helping out with Coaches vs. Cancer, playing the
Think Pink game, playing in the Make- A-Wish Tournament, running the clinic
with the LaSalle Academy students, the list goes on and on. This year, we also
plan to do service projects as a team. It is easy to forget how fortunate we all
are, and working together as a team to help others is one of the best things we
can do. When you help others, you gain even more compassion, and this is the
type of person I want to play with. I have faced tragedy and tough
circumstances, and seen the pain that they cause. When disaster strikes,
whether it be disease, losing ones job, or any other misfortune, it is the
kindness and support of others that really helps you get through it.
Coach Nerney often says that one should have an attitude of
gratitude. This means being excited to be where you are, and grateful for the
opportunity you have to face each challenge. Our team has really learned to
exemplify this mantra. When we give back, we show our gratitude for being so
privileged, because we are. Our lives are all very lucky, and when you are on
this team, you learn what it means to be grateful, to take advantage of every
test, because it is a chance to prove your worth.
Coach Retif likes to say that GA basketball does not just make you
a better basketball player, but also makes you a better person. This is true.
This team is about so much more than winning. It is about discipline,
determination, teamwork, and kindness. We have helped each other through
problems in the past, and will continue to do so. The inherent goodness in each
player on this team is what tells me we will be successful this year, even more
than statistics and impressive plays. When we are good people, we are good
teammates, and a team full of good teammates can do anything.
# 22 Dana Lotito ’11, Senior Captain Who We Are
GA Girls’ Basketball has a unique identity that is not solely built on the present or on the talent we have any given year. We are a conglomerate of past players and their characters and present players and their talents. We are Caroline Doty’s resilience through knee injuries; we are Laura Kurz’s leadership; we are Tory Thierolf’s quiet example, Maggie Lucas’s pumping energy. We have built upon the past to become the team we are now. We are not only Alexa Gallagher’s hustle or Jaryn Garner’s fierce tenacity, but our bench’s thrilled cheers and our JV’s dutiful defense in practice that pushes us. We are not only players; we are Coach Retif’s passion and Coach Nerney’s attitude. We embody our assistant coaches’ love for the game. We are our school’s emphasis on tradition. We have melded together as a team and unit.
But we are also something special off of the court. I have always felt special being a part of such a talented team from year to year. Maybe I am incredibly biased, but I have never been a part of or seen another team come together as we have off the court. We emphasize our attitudes and how basketball translates to other parts of our lives. We are all different people but the respect that we learn on the court helps us respect and love each other during the other times we spend together. We all understand that someday, we will stop playing basketball, some earlier than others, but that the feeling of GA Girls’ Basketball will carry with us.
#23 Monica Schaker '11, Captain Oh Happy Day
If I tried to sum up in a few words what it’s like to play for this team, it would be impossible. So instead, I’ll share a moment that I think describes our team and shows why we’ve been so successful each year. Three years ago when I was a freshman, we went into the locker room at halftime after playing a really bad half, and I remember everyone’s heads were down and nobody said a word. Finally, Caroline Doty stepped up in front of us and started singing ‘Oh Happy Day.’ Slowly, everyone started clapping along and filling in the chorus as Caroline sang a solo, and then the big high-pitched note came, and she hit it perfectly. After the game I remember hearing parents say that they could hear us all the way in the stands, we were so loud. Although it seems like a typical girl moment, where you sing a song and everything is better momentarily, this song actually has a much bigger long-term impact on the team and me.
Most importantly, it shows how close we are as a team. There are always going to be times when you face adversity as a team, but the ability to bounce back together instead of trying to conquer something individually, makes a great team. Singing this song made us come together closer than ever, and helped us win that game. One of the great things about this team is that we always stick together, especially in tough games. Staying together as one unit is a big reason why we’ve been so successful, and this moment demonstrates how tight we are.
The ‘Oh Happy Day’ song has now become our staple song every season, and for that, I think this moment shows the tradition our team has. Even though this happened when most of the current team wasn’t there, it is sung every year, and they will soon experience it. When traditions are passed on from team to team, a bond is created, and this song is the bond that will keep our team together as we start our season. It will energize us again just like the first time, it will remind us of Caroline, and make us work hard and strive to be the best we can like she does, and it will makes us come together as a team like it did three years ago. I hope this song gets carried on in the future, and makes everyone realize the things that are special about this team.
#13 Alexa Gallagher, Captain ''11
Coming to Germantown Academy in 7thgrade was one of the best decisions I have made so far in my life. This school has such high expectations both academically and athletically and has taught me so many lessons. Having the privilege to play varsity basketball in 8thgrade was definitely a blessing. It was not easy since I was one of the smallest players on the team however it taught me where I had to get to. Coming in as a freshman I knew what was expected but still had so much to learn. I learned so much from the upper classmen who took me under their wing and looked out for me. This is just one that that has stood out to me in the years that I have been here and that is the willingness people have to go out of their way and help others.
Playing basketball at GA for the past four years has also provided me with so many opportunities and has likewise taught me several valuable lessons. I have learned how important it is to work as a unit and to sacrifice individual gain for the team’s greater good. It has taught me how to be a leader and along with that how to communicate with others. There have been different obstacles that have come my way while playing basketball and these experiences have prepared me to deal with adversity, have patience, and to become accountable for how I perform on and off the court. Playing GA basketball is therefore more than just a sport for me. It has helped me to grow as a person, to learn how to manage my time, and to develop and maintain positive relationships with others. This is what basketball has done for me however what makes my experience on this team exceptional is the people that have taught me, challenged me, and helped me along the way.
#45 Maggie Ebbott ’10, Captain
Being a part of the girl basketball program at GA has definitely had a huge impact on my life. When I started out in the program freshmen year, I was scared, timid, and nervous. The basketball team is intense and I felt insecure about my ability. Winter break of my freshmen year, the team traveled to Florida for a tournament. While on the trip, I became comfortable with the team; building lasting friendships that I don’t know what I would do without today. From that point on, I loved everything about the basketball program. Thinking back to being nervous makes me laugh, because being a part of the basketball team is one of the best decisions I made at GA and it will be one of my best memories from high school. The team has become a second family. Although basketball is not my best or first sport, I am fully dedicated to the program, knowing that it will make me a better athlete and person. I love the intense practices that require focus and drive, and the games are always exciting. To be part of something greater than myself means a lot to me, and basketball offers just that. Coach Retif and Nearny have helped me understand determination, and attitude. The lessons I have learned from them have helped me in school, sports, and life in general. Last year, Coach Neary gave each player a quote about attitude. It sits on my nightstand and I look at it almost every day. The basketball team has helped shaped me into the person I have become, and I plan on using many of my lessons from basketball throughout life.
#20 Tory Thierolf ’10, Captain
Basketball is a game of hard work filled with challenges and rewards. To be successful a team must obviously work hard individually, but must also work hard together. Chemistry is one factor that can make a team unstoppable and my team, the Germantown Academy Patriots, experienced such success last year when we went undefeated. Our team was overflowing with talent but we played our best due to our team unity. In games, our unselfish play allowed us to make the extra pass, which in the end resulted in everyone contributing to the win. This technique created positive energy throughout our team and everyone was always supportive, especially in practice where we challenged each other. We began to learn each other’s way of play and together grew as not solely players, but as a team. This family-like bond elevated our game to a new level where opponents could not physically or mentally beat us. Overcoming the challenge of uniting our talents to form a cohesive team allowed us to not only have an undefeated season but also an enjoyable one.
#33 Maggie Lucas ’10, Captain
Over the years I have had some of the most amazing opportunities through playing on the Germantown Academy Girls Basketball team. We have traveled to Naples Florida and Phoenix Arizona, we have played against some of the best players and teams in the country, and have received countless numbers of accolades as a team. One of the most memorable and rewarding experiences for me, however, has been when our team was introduced to a little girl named Andrea last year at the Naples Holiday Shootout.
Andrea copes with several physical disabilities and has gone through about twenty surgeries over the course of her life, and she still has one of the most positive and mature attitudes that I have seen in someone, especially at her age. Her perseverance has had a huge effect on my life and has inspired me greatly. It can be easy sometimes in athletics to lose perspective, or to think it is the end of the world after a loss or a bad game. But after having the opportunity to meet someone as special as Andrea, who overcomes challenges everyday you come to realize what is really important. Andrea may not know it but her strength has taught me so much, and since I met her I have done my best to apply what I have learned from her to every aspect of my life, whether it be on or off the court.
#3 Jesse Carey ’09, Captain
Character Revealed
Since I have been born, basketball has been so much more than just a sport. Nearly every aspect of my life has been affected by and prioritized by basketball. Its seemingly monumental influence has blessed me to meet amazing people, build lifelong friendships, and experience some of the best moments of my life. My love for basketball matured as my goals grew greater – earning a Division I college scholarship. It always seemed appropriate to live or die by each game because of the sport’s impact on my future. Two years ago my eyes were opened to the sport’s most important value for people who relied on it purely for the game and its camaraderie. When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, a high school by the name of Chapelle was deliberately affected. My high school coach, Sherri Retif, a native from Louisiana, organized a tournament in which all the proceeds would benefit the rebuilding of their town. She invited Chapelle to come to Pennsylvania to play two games, one against our team. In meeting the girls and coaches at a dinner held the night before our game, my teammates and I listened to their stories and experiences. They had suffered greatly; many completely losing their homes and belongings, and having to work to help their families survive financially. Emotionally, these girls relied on basketball as their escape to the turmoil that surrounded them. There was a heartwarming atmosphere the next day at our game. The Chapelle players displayed the utmost respect for my school and team. Their sportsmanship was incomparable to any other team we faced. I will never forget their sincere thankfulness to the sport in continuing to bind them together no matter the outcome of the game. This experience showed me the power and significance sports truly have. The Chapelle players revealed such an honorable character that I will always admire and never forget.
#21 Jess Erb ’09, Captain
Make-A-Wish
Sometimes the deeper meaning of the Make-A-Wish tournament isn’t always apparent. When someone walks up to the gym on that Friday or Saturday night, they probably notice a number of things. They see student volunteers dishing out snacks to the people at the concession stand or monotonously handing out admission tickets to excited spectators. They hear the pounding of basketballs against the hardwood floor as teams prepare to play some of their best competition, or the resonating cheers of the GA Superfans as our teams pull out a win. But often times these sights and sounds don’t reveal the real meaning behind the Make-A-Wish Tournament. Each person involved in the tournaments is contributing to a cause much bigger than what goes on in the gym. The Make-A-Wish Tournament donates all its proceeds to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which “grants the wishes” of children with terminal illnesses. It provides these kids with a family trip they might not have been able to take otherwise. To be a participant in this tournament shows me that this whole thing isn’t about the basketball, the spectators, or even Germantown Academy itself. It’s about becoming a part of something bigger than me. When my teammates and I step on the court Friday and Saturday nights, we aren’t just playing to defeat an opponent. We’re playing for children who benefit from our efforts, and that’s what makes this tournament so special to me. I’m thankful to have an opportunity to contribute to this tournament and help those in need, and I speak for the whole Girl’s Basketball Team when I say this. Good luck to all the participating teams and thank you so much to everyone who contributed to this tournament’s success.
Laura Karbach '08 Captain
Two Sport Athletes
In middle school, I played a lot of sports. Soccer wasn’t my thing, no foot-eye coordination. Field Hockey hurt my back too much, and I couldn’t hit the ball in softball. But basketball and swimming were two sports that I excelled in. Going into high school, I had to make a choice because basketball and swimming were the same season. I chose basketball but decided to keep my feet in the water by playing water polo in the fall. I found that water polo was somewhat like basketball – play development was similar, like setting picks, shooting the ball, rebounding, fast breaks, outlet passing. Teamwork is key to success. These sports provided a great cross training regiment for me. I quickly became dedicated to both.
I chose to be a two-sport athlete for two reasons. First, sports have always been a huge part of my life and they have taught me so much. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the lessons that I have learned and the adversities that I have had to overcome. Sports have taught me to persevere, to work hard and the rewards will come. Maybe not immediately, but if you keep working, you will reap the benefits. The second reason is the people that I’ve meet through sports. The girls on my teams have become like sisters to me. The relationships that I have formed with them have influenced me in a way that will last forever.
The time is fast approaching when I will become a one-sport athlete – college presents the challenge of Division 1 water polo. My years of playing basketball will stay with me forever. The lessons I’ve learned on and off the court will be with me in the pool and beyond my college years. The friendships I’ve been privileged to form will last a lifetime.
#10 Meredith Carber ’09, Captain
Attitude
I’ve always heard the saying, when life gives you lemons make lemonade. I always thought that the saying could only be applied to one part of my life, the part outside of basketball. However, after playing basketball for eight years of my life that saying means a lot more than the idea that you have to make the most out of what you have.
Over the past three years I have learned through basketball that things aren’t guaranteed. Sometimes the outcome of games won’t go as well as I had hoped, or sometimes I wish I had played better. However, I have learned that the past is the past and if something doesn’t go my way or I don’t play as hard as I had wanted to, to keep my head up and persevere even when it gets tough. Recently, I was told that the only thing in a game that I can control completely is my attitude. I have realized that I have to take what I am given and the lessons that I have learned through my mistakes to become the better player that I want to be. I know that I will make mistakes but I have to use my attitude to keep my head held high so that I can become a stronger and smarter individual.
From learning that I have to use what I am given is something that can be applied to all parts of my life. When I have off days whether it is on or off the court, I know that I have the ability to control myself so that even when I do make mistakes I learn from them and become stronger for the future.
#5 Caroline Doty ’08, Captain
Being a part of the Germantown Academy varsity basketball team is indescribable. There is a team chemistry that has evolved over many years of dedication and hard work.
This year, as I watched try-outs from the sidelines on a fold out chair I knew this season was going to be another experience I’ll always remember. The most I have ever missed of an athletic event was when I was 14 and fractured my ankle ten days before the AAU National Championships. At the time it was the worst thing that could have happened. I was determined to continue to be a part of that team, even if it was from the bench. The experience was unforgettable, as I rooted my team on to a National Championship. Now, not being able to compete from the floor only adds more determination to the challenge of becoming InterAc champions for the 10thstraight year in a row.
Being apart of this team is so special and honorable that even being out the entire year with my ACL injury doesn’t stop me from feeling any less a part of this team. This team is very special with not only our committed coaches but each and every player. Sitting on that fold up chair I witnessed skilled players helping out the inexperienced players, the veterans joking around with the freshmen, and the whole team working together as one. Being apart of such a tremendous tradition as a senior, I realize each year is a different experience, a different challenge. Being stationed on the bench isn’t a detriment but is a chance to experience yet another great year with a remarkable team, a team I’ve grown to love.
The experience of being a part of the GA Girls basketball team is about Saturday morning practices, traveling to and playing in winter tournaments and the 30 games played throughout the season. We go through both the good and the bad, but whatever we encounter, we always stick together. My experience at Germantown Academy has been unforgettable. The bonds that I have developed with all of my teammates throughout the four years I have played here have really helped me to become the person I am today. The excellent leaders who have helped guide me since freshman year were great examples for how I can be a leader for the younger players this year. As a senior this year, I have the privilege of being a captain, and I am looking forward to living up to the past leaders by winning another Inter-Ac championship.
Bri Cowden ’08, Captain
Measuring Success
When looking at records from years past, it is evident that our team has been successful. Although the success of the Germantown Academy basketball team goes much deeper than any numbers can show. Here at GA success is determined both on and off the court. Success is measured in practice with every last sprint, every lay up and every pass made. Success is measured in games by preparing mentally and physically, executing plays correctly and encouraging teammates. Most importantly success at Germantown Academy is measured within the people who make up the team. The support we have for one another has led us to become better basketball players and better people. The bonds between teammates and coaches have helped to encourage everyone to work harder and achieve goals we set for ourselves.
Success is a journey. It’s achieving something you set out to do and overcoming obstacles along the way. As a senior at GA this year, I’m excited for the journey ahead and all the endeavors we as a team will encounter this year as we continue our tradition of success.
#23 Colleen Magarity, ’07 Captain
Team Participation Develops Character
Character building is what happens on a good team when you think your just learning how to play basketball. You come in as a freshman trying your best and a senior helps you up when you fall down. This kind of thing becomes contagious and you learn that doing what is best for the team usually ends up being best for you.
Here at Germantown Academy I am a senior and I have been lucky enough to play with some great players and even greater people. We have pushed each other to be the best we can be day in and day out on and off the court. My team has become a second family to me from my coaches teaching me valuable lessons everyday, to my teammates whom I have shared incredible experiences with. I only hope that I can do my part to reach out to the new freshman and help them to grow as athletes and people too.
I am still learning everyday and I am extremely excited about our team this year. I know the ball will not always bounce our way, but I also know that when it does not we will just work harder and pick each other up because that is what good teams do and that is what character athletes do. It has been an honor and a privilege to be a part of Germantown Academy’s basketball team and I look forward to continuing to learn and grow stronger with my teammates this year.
Lindsay Freid ’07, Captain
What Does It Mean To Be a Member of This Team
There are few greater honors bestowed upon a student than the honor of representing her school through participation in varsity athletics. As a member of the varsity basketball team at Germantown Academy since my freshman year, I have practiced and competed alongside some of the finest female basketball players our country has to offer. As a team, we have traveled to just about every region of the United States and have enjoyed many, many victories. Our school has been dubbed a basketball “powerhouse” in the local area, and while there is a lot of excitement generated by such language, being part of this team at this particular school carries with it a much deeper meaning to me.
When I step on the court to play basketball for GA, I can look up into the stands on any given day and see the faces of my classmates and their families, my teachers, and our administrators. I know they are there not only to see a great performance or contest; they are there to support my teammates and me through encouragement, consolation, and congratulations. The community of Germantown Academy is ever-present, and it inspires me to give my heart and soul on the court for the school--the family--that I have come to love.
Stephanie Spada ’02, Captain
Why Our Team is Unique
When asked what makes us unique: three things stood out, and although they sound cliché, they fit: teamwork, determination and balance. . We play in the Inter-Ac League and have been champions of this league for four consecutive years; so you could say that we are used to winning. However, that alone cannot make a team. There are countless teams with winning records, but there are few, if any teams that work harder than us. Looking at our team we are not very intimidating. We overcome our lack of height with speed, intellect and most of all, HUSTLE! In practice, we are always challenging and pushing each other to make our teammates better players. We can honestly say our practices are so tiring that our games sometimes seem easy.
Many teams rely on only a few players to carry the team. We have confidence that each player has an important role. On any given day, someone else could step up and make the difference in a game. We attribute this not only to the talent we have but also to our close relationships. Our long distance trips have enabled us to travel and mature, and we have created strong bonds. We are good friends inside and outside of basketball as well. Time spent at holiday tournaments has helped us form friendships that we otherwise might not have developed.
Finally, our team is full of multitalented girls. We must be able to balance basketball and our rigorous academics, as well as outside activities. Every player on our team plays more than one sport. Over half of us play three sports, including cross-country, field hockey, soccer, water polo, softball, tennis, track, lacrosse and diving. Also, at our school there are many opportunities to get involved with Community Service. Many of our players are a part of this organization, spending Saturdays with underprivileged children on ‘Buddy Day’ or helping to build house at Habitat for Humanity. While we all devote much time and effort to basketball, we also have other interests that make us unique. The GA Girls Basketball Team prides itself on being well- rounded, but when November 11thcomes around we are focused and ready to work.