Basketball - Girls Varsity

2016-2017 Season

The 2016-2017 Warriors had another successful season, finishing in historic fashion. The team finished with a record of 24-8, which included a number of "firsts" in program history. After capturing their third consecutive district crown, the Warriors won the first state playoff game in program history, by winning the Sectional title. In the next round, they recorded another first by winning their Quarterfinal match-up which earned them the right to appear in the State Final Four, another program first.

With a great deal of excitement and momentum, the Warriors moved on to the State Semi-Final round. The young club continued its winning ways with a decisive victory, which led them to the State Championship game. The Warriors fought valiantly, but came up short and finished 2nd in the State, ending the historic run in an exciting fashion.

Once again the team was very young, but four fearless seniors ready to lead the charge. This group of seniors included Catalina Cuevas, Jordan Jones, Jessica Scales, and Kim Strege. In addition, the team would return sophomores Aijha Blackwell (recorded her 1,000th point in just her second season), Nia Griffin, Ariel Jennings, and Bella Suffian. The team also welcomed two new members, freshmen Zaria Daniels and Jade Moore. The team started the season by taking first place in the annual Whitfield Classic. In addition, the young group also placed first in the annual Queen of Hearts Tournament. Along the way, the team was able to secure significant wins against multiple highly-ranked, large schools.

The Warriors received the number one seed in their district for the third year in a row, along with numerous post season honors:

Player Honors
Aijha Blackwell '19
- First Team All State
- First Team All Conference
- First Team All Metro
- First Team All District
- Earl Austin Jr’s “Fab Five” First Team

Nia Griffin '19
- Second Team All Conference
- First Team All District

Catalina Cuevas '17
- Second Team All Conference

Kim Strege '17
- Honorable Mention All Conference

Jade Moore '20
- First Team All Conference
- First Team All District

2015-2016 Season

The Warriors celebrated the most successful season in program history with a 25-4 record and finishing the season ranked 7th in the state in Class 3. Once again the team was very young, but had a fearless four Seniors ready to lead the charge. This group of seniors included Destiny Bowie, Kelsey Chadwick, Kate Minorini, and Pamela Zuluaga. Coming off of a district championship season and only graduating one from the roster, the Warriors had high hopes for the 15-16 campaign.

This season was met with a great deal of excitement with the majority of the roster returning, including the previous season’s leading scorer Taylor Lawson-Hicks, now a sophomore. In addition, the team would welcome newcomers Aijha Blackwell, Nia Griffin, and Ariel Jennings, all freshmen. The team started the season by taking first place in the Annual Whitfield Classic. In addition, the young group also placed first in the Annual Queen of Hearts Tournament. Along the way, the team was able to secure significant wins against multiple highly ranked, large schools.

The Warriors received the number one seed in their district for the second year in a row. Very similar to the 14-15 season, the team secured a sound opening round victory, but struggled to secure a semi-final win. In the district championship, the Warriors got off to a fast start and secured their second consecutive title.

'15- '16 Player Honors
Aijha Blackwell '19
- All State
- First Team All Conference
- Third Team All Metro
- Earl Austin Jr’s “Fab Five” Second Team

Taylor Lawson- Hicks '18
- First Team All Conference

Nia Griffin '19
- Second Team All Conference

Catalina Cuevas '17
- Honorable Mention All Conference

Jessica Scales '17
- Honorable Mention All Conference

2014-2015 Season

The Warriors entered the 2014-2015 season with many familiar faces on the roster. The only new team member was freshman Taylor Lawson-Hicks and she proved to be a significant addition. The Warriors also came into the season with a completely different coaching staff. New Head Coach Michael Slater made his Whitfield head coaching debut, assisted by Coach Cameo Holly, and Coach Chloe Nelson.

The team sought to improve upon a challenging 2013-2014 campaign. Most would agree that the team absolutely improved, by increasing their win total by double digits. At the start of the season, the Warriors were a late game rebound away from capturing first place in the Annual Whitfield Classic tournament. The Warriors also saw more tournament success in the Annual Queen of hearts tournament, hosted by Villa Duchesne. The six seeded Warriors upset the third seeded Lutheran North Crusaders en route to a fourth place finish.

As with any young team that starts the season with an entirely different coaching staff, it took some time for the Warriors to gel but by seasons end they were playing well and feeling confident about making a post-season run. Led by lone Senior Kate Sescleifer, along with a host of younger players, the Warriors stepped up and exceeded the expectations that most had of the inexperienced team coming into the season.

The Warriors were a surprise number one seed in their district. As expected, the team came away with a significant victory in the first round. However, the young team found themselves looking at a double digit deficit in the district semi-final against the number three seeded Brentwood. In a strong second half charge, the Warriors came away with a hard fought victory. In the district championship, The Warriors once again got off to a slow start and found themselves in a two point game at halftime. In the second half, the young team turned up the defense and pulled away for an eighteen point win, allowing only two points in the final quarter. This would be the program’s second district championship in school history.

Due to only having one Senior, the '15-'16 Warriors will be returning several key pieces from the district championship season and hope to build upon what they started in '14-'15.

2014-'15 Player Honors
Taylor Lawson-Hicks '18
-First Team All Conference

Kate Sescleifer '15
-Second Team All Conference

Catalina Cuevas '17
-Honorable Mention All Conference