The girls basketball team ended their historic season with a state title Saturday at Towson University following a 71–55 victory over the Western Doves.
The game was Whitman’s first girls basketball state title since 1995 and second in school history, as well as the first state finals appearance and win for coach Peter Kenah.
“Your dream as a coach is you get to hug your best players and win the state title,” Kenah said in a press conference following the game, “so it really was a dream come true and a special moment I’m always going to remember.”
Guard Abby Meyers led the Vikes with 21 points and three assists, and forward Hannah Niles contributed 18 points and three assists. Seven players scored, and forward Betsy Knox said the win was made part by players both on and off the court.
“To win the state championship, it’s going to take every single member of the squad, whether they’re on the bench for most of the game or they’re playing most of the game,” Knox said.
The Vikings got off to a hot start, and used quick passes and a tight defense to limit the Doves’ chances on offense. With the help of Meyers’ three three-pointers, including a buzzer-beater, the team finished the first quarter 23–9.
The second quarter was less successful for the Vikes, as the Doves’ offense picked up steam to outscore Whitman 11–6. Both teams acquired multiple fouls, however the Vikes went over the limit, allowing the Doves two shots. After a three-pointer from the Doves with less than a minute left, the teams ended the half at 29–20.
Although the Doves were the first to get on the board in the second half, as the third quarter progressed, the Vikings regained their usual confidence to take the strong lead that would last them the rest of the game.
“The guards were fearless and they made so many plays and were just a little more aggressive in the second half,” Kenah said.
Making six out of six possible foul shots, the Vikes added 18 points in the third quarter, bringing the score to 47–33.
The game’s final quarter featured the highest scores from both teams, with the Vikings and the Doves scoring in a back-and-forth manner 24 and 22, respectively. Whitman ran into foul trouble, however, as within the first two minutes both Meyers and guard Marie Hatch got their fourth foul.
After returning from a timeout on Western, Hatch was called on her fifth foul, and slowly the other starters were taken out as well, to be greeted by hugs from their team members and cheers from the crowd.
Like in Thursday’s semifinals, the game ended with a buzzer-beater from under the basket by forward Leah Gordon.
Kenah said the win was not only a reflection of the team, but the community as a whole.
“This is how I really think public school basketball should be,” Kenah said. “They’re just kids and they love each other. I think it embodies so much of what our community does, from our athletic director to our principal on down—we made history and I just couldn’t be prouder of them.”
