When a student at Leavitt Area High School thinks about their athletics they might automatically think about the girl’s basketball team. In the past few years it hasn’t been the best for us, but all of our fans have continued to show more and more support. Every day we show up at the gym and put 110 on the floor and when we’re done, it seems that we all turn to the last championship banner. Leavitt girls’ basketball will be called the underdogs this ear because we’re coming out with our championship banner in mind, each and every one of us wants it, and we’re determined to get it. All of the girls on the team are bonded together.

The 2008 summer was one of the most memorable for me not because of the sleepovers at my friend’s houses or lying in the sun or out by the pool, but because it was walking into the gym every morning to pick up a basketball and play with the team. It was the dedication that we all got to see in all of the players each morning. At the end of the practices it would always come down to all of us staring at one thing: the championship banner. There would always be that short period of silence as we looked at the number 1969, the last time Leavitt girls brought home the championship. All of us would look at each other and be proud of that, but know that in our hearts this year that banner would read 1969, 2009.

Determination is one of the words that describe this team well. Like coach always says, “You play how you practice.” So, at practice, we put every bit of energy we have out on the floor and always go at game speed. Over the summer there was a lot of talk about Leavitt and how the team has made large improvements. They’re right. We have had in mind since day one of summer basketball that we would at least be going to the playoffs. One reporter that sat in the gym one day during our practice note the determination on our faces as we repeatedly went over plays, tweaking them to perfection. Not only that but he heard, “Playoffs!” as we huddled at the end of practice.

It may take time in the season games and practices for our team to get it where we want it but in the end, hard work always pays off. If we continue to follow our hearts and determination, the 2009 stickers that will go up on that banner get closer and closer to us. Tim Duncan’s, “Good, better, best. Never let it rest until your good is better and your better is best,” is our team quote this year and we will do exactly that.