Flashback to 2012, the South girls’ varsity basketball program earned a spot in the MHSAA finals. The team was led by Cierra Rice ’15, who went on to play Division 1 basketball at the University of Illinois. Unfortunately, South lost to Grand Haven by one point, and the next year, despite Rice’s 24 points, fell short in overtime. What went into these incredible playoff runs, though? How did they do it?
The girls welcomed a practice squad. Boys who didn’t play basketball had the opportunity to practice with the team, sit on the sidelines during games, and be a part of the team. Together, they earned two state finals appearances. Head coach Kevin Richards sought to bring that back this year by inviting the Neighborhood Club Rec League champion, the Cavaliers, to practice with the team.
“It’s special, it really is,” Richards said. “We had some of the boys come in, some of my son’s friends, and they were a big help. It was good to see them support their classmates, too.”
Unlike in 2012 and 2013, Richard’s son, a member of the boys’ varsity program, came to practice with the girls the next day. Providing another look at fast-paced basketball, with the added ambiguity of not practicing or playing with them day in and day out, like with teammates.
“Unfortunately, our boys’ team was eliminated, but I can’t thank Kooper and the guys on the team enough for coming in and helping us prepare,” Richards said.
Clara Bachert ’27, a three-year varsity player, was caught off guard when hearing she would be practicing with boys she sees at school every day. Noting how normally they scrimmage against the eighth-grade boys team at the Grosse Pointe Academy (GPA).
“I was surprised, honestly. Practicing with the GPA team was nice because it wasn’t boys in my grade, or people that I talk to on a daily basis,” Bachert said. “I was definitely nervous [about the switch in practicing]. It didn’t feel like the logical choice.”
Although even before having a district semi-finals win under her belt, Bachert mentioned the boys’ practices helped tremendously. Especially for playoff basketball, which is far more intense than regular-season play.
“Obviously, a boys’ basketball team is a lot different. It’s more aggressive, it’s faster. But playing against someone better than you is just going to make you better. Coach [Richards] has done boy/girl scrimmages for multiple years before the playoffs. It’s a method that works,” Bachert said.
For the boys, it was a fun, memorable challenge. Alex Young ’27 enjoyed the experience, noting how respectful the environment was.
“It was so fun, everyone was going hard while maintaining the respect,” Young said. “I wish them the best in the playoffs. Bring home that state chip!”
