Courtesy of Alex Cavazos DAC Photos
The teams' bench celebrates as a three pointer is made against Wagner on Dec.20
A new season brings fresh faces—and this year, a new head coach as well. Kathleen Johnson has taken charge as the head coach of the girls’ basketball team. Despite facing challenges throughout the season, every experience contributed to building a stronger foundation for next season.
“As a new head coach anywhere with any team, the biggest challenge is establishing the foundation that you want,” Johnson said. “Building your culture, teaching the kids, the coaches; showing the kids, coaches, community members, what you’re about, and what you prioritize.”
Last years’ team consisted of eight seniors and three underclassmen. They finished the season fourth in district with a record of 9-5 and an overall record of 14-14, all while making a playoff appearance.
The road ended short with a first round exit by Glenn losing 64-32, and with majority of the team graduating, the road became bumpy.
This years team started rough with two big losses one being to San Marcos (61-29), the other being Cornerstone (69-50).
From then on the team learned their strengths and weaknesses, overcoming challenges.
“I tried to constantly remind them, ‘hey we’re building’ and I hoped we’d be motivated by the idea that it’s just a process,” Johnson said. “It’s gonna take time and that every time we see improvement, that’s a win for us, even if it’s not reflecting on the scoreboard.”
Despite the tough season for the girls’ basketball team, one thing was clear: the young squad never stopped fighting. Junior point guard Cyanna Cavazos, who averaged 12 points per game, became a leader, guiding the team through a season of ups and downs with a fierce determination that showed her growth as a player and a person.
The first tournament the team competed in, Cavazos was selected for the 2024 SWISD All-Tournament team. She averaged 14 points, 4.75 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 4 steals, and 1.75 blocks the whole tournament.
“I took on a vocal leadership role and picked up my teammates whenever they needed,” Cavazos said.
With only two varsity returners this season every player was determined to grow.
“It’s the players. They kept showing up, they wanted to be there,” Johnson said. “We could be down by a lot and they would still give everything they had.”
Though losing games wasn’t the only problem the team had to overcome.
“We got played with injuries at the end, and I would have liked to have seen us stay healthy,” Johnson said.
Still the team kept driving on the winding road, giving it their all and keeping the energy they needed. Soon their hard work payed off, which reflected on the scoreboard.
“The second time we played Boerne Champion and won at the buzzer, that was a huge growth moment. Especially that very last play where we didn’t necessarily script out what we wanted them (the players) to do,” Johnson said. “They just went and did it. Same for the last game of the season, against Vets Memorial.”
The girls wrapped up their season on a high note, welcoming back an injured player and securing a hard-fought victory against Vets, 43-41.
“Sometimes you just have to look at the bigger picture and brush off the bigger mistakes because they don’t define who you are as a basketball player,” Cavazos said. “You just have to keep pushing.”