UNION CITY – Mississinawa Valley Schools held a Friday morning pep rally for the history-making Lady Blackhawks varsity basketball team prepare to take on the Fort Loramie Lady Redskins.
“These girls have done a great job all season,” said Mississinawa Valley Superintendent Jeff Winchester. “You can see not just here today but at all our games, our community, and our school, which come together and support these girls. We’re going to support them not just tomorrow, but we’re going to support them for two more games, and I have every confidence in these young ladies; they will bring us a state championship home to Mississinawa Valley.”
The Lady Hawks reached the Elite Eight for the first time in school history with a 42-30 win over Xenia’s Legacy Christian Lady Nights.
The Mississinawa Valley gymnasium was packed with Blackhawk students from grade school through high school, with cheerleaders and the school’s band entertaining.
“We have an amazing community, an amazing support system for these ladies,” said Mississinawa Valley athletic director Mackenzie Breymier, a Lady Blackhawks basketball alum. “They are so excited, they have worked so hard, not just this year, but these six seniors have worked hard these last four years, and we have to give a lot of credit to them and a lot of credit to our coaches. This is amazing. It is the first time in school history that the girls’ basketball program has made it to the regional finals one game at a time. These ladies have proven to everybody that they have it in them, and we’re hoping the next step is to state.”
The 2024-2025 team includes Emily Byram, Ava Hummel, Tenlee Woodbury, Taylee Woodbury, Makenna Hohhatt, Marina Trobridge, Caeden Fritz, Ashton Couchot, Trinity Reichard, Syenna Purdin, Stepany De La Torre, Cora Hoggatt, Paige Emrick, Brooklynn Seubert, Gretchen Rodeheffer, and Lupe Couchot.
Six seniors gave their thoughts on the upcoming OHAA DVII regional final game.
“I am ready and my team is too,” said No. 5 Taylee Woodbury. “We will all work together and we will play good defense. We’re going to come out strong and we’re ready.”
“We need to go in there focused and work on what Michael, AJ and Christian are going over the past few days,” No. 21 Syenna Purdin stated.
“This means a lot because in eighth grade we won our seventh and eighth grade tournament,” said No. 1 Emily Byrum. “This means a lot to us because we grew up together, and now we’re getting to do it in the big world.”
“This is exciting because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us,” No. 45 Lupe Couchot said. “I know we can do it. We are not done, and we need to finish our story.”
“We all won championships our seventh and eighth grade years,” noted No. 23 Stephany De La Torre. “To be able to do it our senior year again would be amazing.”
“It means a lot, growing up with my best friends, playing sports, and in seventh and eighth grade winning a championship,” said No. 13 Caeden Fritz. “Being able to do it again during our senior year is amazing.”
