Honoring the code, from the first tip to final buzzer, as a sisterhood through all the ups and downs.
On Thursday, March 12, Bullitt East Girls Basketball wrapped up their season after falling to Franklin-Simpson 66-47 at the first round of the Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Sweet 16. With only two seniors and a young overall group, the team pushed through the adversity and leaned on each other. Though the current chapter has officially closed, a new one will have the chance to flourish and the underclassmen can get their moments under the big stage to become the next big things.
“I was really happy with the season as a whole,” senior point guard Anna Tinelli said. “Since my eighth grade year, I’ve wanted to get back to state and was very glad we did. Despite the doubt that was put on us from the outside world, we stayed together and proved them wrong.”
For Tinelli, this team has a special place in her heart. Going from playing on East Elite when she was in elementary school to stacking accolades and awards as a middle + high schooler, she has had the opportunity to play with many great basketball players, many of whom she looked up to at the Charger Youth Camp. From this, wearing the East jersey has allowed her to make plenty of friendships to cherish for the rest of her life. As a role model for her team, the main thing she tries to pass down to them is to enjoy every moment and have fun, instead of strictly thinking about it as a “job.” As she transitions to college soon, she will miss how comfortable she is with her teammates and laughing with them everyday.
“Our team culture is really about working hard and supporting each other,” freshman shooting guard Aubree Wood said. “Everyone pushes each other to get better, but we also have each other’s backs. It truly feels like a family, which is a big reason why our season was how it happened, and our friendships were big factors in that as well.”
Spending time with the seniors on and off the court, the biggest things Wood learned from them are how to stay focused and lead by example. They showed everyone how to have consistent work ethic and stay together as a team no matter what was happening in the game. With how this season went, making it to state has lit a fire in her to continue working in order to make it even further in the future. In addition, it showed the community what the team is capable of, even with a young squad.
The Lady Chargers concluded the season with a 19-13 overall record (6-0 in the 23rd District and 11-2 in the 6th Region). Through leadership and various players stepping up, the future of Bullitt East Girls Basketball will be bright with the support of the entire school and Mount Washington community.
