For the Ladycats, the ‘24 to ‘25 season came to an end at districts against Stover (51-55), but the season ended as the first winning season in 15 years finishing with a record of (15-12). Players and coach Matt Henderson found that the team performance at district was one of the strongest of the season where the girls brought the intensity and hard work that led to a devastating loss with the last shot.
“Student athletes continue to grow and improve, and I need to continue to grow and improve as a coach. The first game the ladies came out with one of the strongest performances of all season, I allowed a nearly 30 point lead to drop to 15 points in second half…The girls needed to keep the intensity up … at districts … Foot on gas and never let up! The second game, semi-finals of districts… the girls fought tooth and nail. We got down by 15 or so, and they fought back within 2 points. With 15 or less seconds, down by 4… I told Howe to shoot a LONG 3… I should have had her take a few seconds to get closer… my call…. Not her error. Maybe we would have just lost by 2… instead of 4,” head coach Matt Henderson said.
While districts may have brought heartbreak and disappointment, it also brought the realization that, while the season ended in a loss, it didn’t extinguish the hard work and motivation for upcoming seasons.
“My reaction to the loss at districts was heartbreak, disappointment, but also pride and being proud. We worked extremely hard, and just fell four points short. I felt pretty good about the team’s performance during the district games. We slowed down a little bit the first round against Windsor, but we still came out on top. Stover, we just barely missed capturing the win. We all worked so hard, and were so close. It just gives us more motivation for upcoming seasons,” junior point guard/shooting guard Tanna Howe said.
Mentally and physically, they prepared for the district games by pushing themselves at practice and team praying before every game.
“Pushing ourselves during practice, practicing with the same intensity as it is during a game. We as a team pray before every game and I believe that has a big impact in how we ‘get our heads right,’” junior guard/post Jessie Bilderback said.
Coach Henderson believes that over this season, the Ladycats have improved greatly as they’re aggressive defenders who are still working out their best scoring options in offense as well. Teamwork for these girls has played a vital role in their success.
“Teamwork has played a vital role for wins, like in the Osceola tournament Tanna had gotten hurt in the last three minutes of the Wheatland game and we came together to pull out the win,but we wouldn’t have gotten there without her,” sophomore post Jenna Gerken said.
To Bilderback, basketball is everything but without her coaches Shaffer and Henderson, she wouldn’t be the athlete she is today.
“Our progression and how far we have come as a program has shown tremendously, we wouldn’t be the team we are without the coaches we have, coach Shaffer and coach Henderson have pushed us every day of practice to not only be better athletes but better teammates. I wouldn’t be the athlete I am without them! Basketball has built bonds with people that I couldn’t be more thankful for. Basketball is one of the longest seasons so we are go-go-go for almost 4 months and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. It’s always been a sport that I fell in love with and anyone that knows me knows I’m obsessed with basketball,” Bilderback said.
For the one senior on the team, basketball coming to an end is hard but she believes the team will continue to progress.
“I feel sad with it being my last year. I’ve played basketball forever so coming to an end is hard. I am very proud of the team, we had a couple rough games that I think we should’ve come out on top but we progressed a lot and played as a whole. I think the team will continue to progress,” senior point guard/shooting guard Keira Mostaffa said.
As Mostaffa moves on from high school basketball her head coach wishes her the best as she’s been a turning point for Warsaw Girls Basketball.
“Keira, you have been part of the complete turnaround of Warsaw Girls Basketball. You led your team to the first winning season in 15 years. I wish you the best in your walk down life’s pathway,” Henderson said.
While Lady Cats transition to their off season, Henderson shares his goals for the team in preparing for the next season.
“The ladies went out with a determination to get the job done. Finishing up the season, especially the first half of the game against Windsor in the first round of districts, Warsaw Ladycats played VERY good basketball. My goal for the team is that they would work in the off season, and come back with the intensity and mindset for winning and competing with everything they have, and use throughout next season,” Henderson said.
