from the start of the basketball season, it was clear that these girls were going to succeed. during warm-ups, they were so disciplined and graceful, almost choreographed in their exercise. it was definitely a sight that helped the bath girls basketball team rise above the other teams in the area. every week for the last couple months, i was assigned to cover their games following them through sectionals, regionals, tip-off classics, etc. when they made it to state, i found myself feeling very attached and requested to shoot the game, even though it was on my day off. girl sports are fun and rewarding to shoot as a girl because its one of the few times you see high school ladies genuinely supporting each other in their highs and lows.
a few days before the road trip to columbus, i was assigned to shoot one of their practices. coach mauk and the girls were nice enough to let me hang around as much as i wanted to that day, presumably because of my fairly consistent presence on my knees at the baseline of their games. trying to seize on the established relationship, i asked to tag along on their trip down. coach said they needed "team time" which i understand. it seems like that kind of time has been instrumental in their success.
unfortunately, the wildkittens lost in the state semifinals in a crazy ass game that had me struggling to focus on shooting. they went into overtime, tied and tired. the opposing team, a team from an all-girls school that was much taller and much bigger than the bath girls [their biggest player is 5'10], was a tough match. and in the end, after playing so very hard, they were shuffled off the court to make room for the next semi-final game. no time for reactions. it was a great season ladies, i'll be lucky to cover a team this lovely again.
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