STEM at Blodgett Girls Basketball Team Celebrates Undefeated Season

“We’re here because we’re CHAMPIONS!”
 
A classroom full of students, parents, and staff erupted into cheers.
 
This year, to participate in sports, Syracuse STEM at Blodgett Middle School students must be gold card members. That means meeting certain attendance, behavior, and academic standards.
 
It also means students have been taking accountability for their actions and are showing true commitment to their chosen sport.
 
And – for the girls basketball team – it led to an impressive undefeated season!
 
“So many students are feeling empowered because of it,” Principal Harry Valentin shared of the shift in school culture. “These girls have inspired the whole school. Now they can be undefeated in anything because they have the discipline and the confidence to do it. This was not only a season of basketball – these students have learned how to be strong for life.”
 
Following the undefeated season, Dr. Valentin and his administrative team hosted a celebration for the girls basketball team, their coaches, and their families. In a classroom one afternoon, families sat at tables adorned with balloons to watch a video montage of the season. The students, coaches, and athletes each had opportunities to share their memories; and they celebrated the growth of the student athletes over the course of the season.
 
“It’s a beautiful thing to see how much you’ve all grown,” a teacher shared. “You’ve grown up to be such great girls. You keep those boys in check… because you’re undefeated and they’re not!”
 
Many of the girls on the team were new to the sport this year, making their incredible growth even more admirable. Coaches Darre Evans and Tyrell Crenshaw were joined by Syracuse University Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach Sue Ludwig to lead the team.
 
“Basketball is a mirror of life,” Coach Ludwig – affectionately called “Coach Sue” by the girls – reflected as she spoke to the team. “It all starts with accountability and being ready to learn. You were all ready to do that. I want you to be leaders in life; I want you to always feel supported. I’ve never coached a tougher group of young ladies… the falls and tumbles didn’t keep you down and I have learned so much from you.”
 
“You listened to our feedback, kept trying, and did your best,” Coach Crenshaw added. “It’s about building character and learning life lessons on and off the court, and you did that.”
 
Coach Evans shared a nod to the way the culture of the team – and the school – changed.
 
“You girls are amazing,” he said. “We told you the first time we saw you: it’s not just about basketball. On and off the court, you’ve built a sisterhood. You played together, and you cared about each other. That’s how you got better.”
 
As members of the team took turns sharing their words of appreciation for each other, they hugged each other, laughing as they shed tears over their memories of the season.
 
“I’m really happy I got to play with everyone on this team,” seventh grader Aubrielle Palmer said, looking around the room at her teammates. “You’re so amazing… not just in basketball, but in everything. I know you’re all going to make it to where you want to be.”
 
Congratulations to the STEM at Blodgett girls basketball on their hard work and their undefeated season!