Photo provided
The Krueger Middle School eighth grade girls basketball team (above) is all smiles as they enjoy a sideline meal.
KMS 8th grade girls basketball unites for undefeated season
By Andrea Roberts and Sean Triemstra
Staff writers
MICHIGAN CITY – The 2022-23 Krueger eighth grade girls basketball team had a perfect season.
The Wolves went 15-0, with several wins coming by blowouts. The girls and the coaches all did their part to cement their undefeated record.
“Everyone’s a family,” team member Gabby Patino said.
They always let each other know if there was a mistake or if they needed to improve something. They also are very caring for each other.
“Their unity was impressive to me,” said coach John Boyd. “The way they came together, and the caring nature that they have for one another.”
No matter what happened, the team would stick together and overcome.
“You come in and there are some issues that your players are going through,” coach Boyd said. “That affects how they perform.”
Despite the problems the team had outside of basketball practice, coach Boyd himself has seen how the girls supported each other.
“When you see the young ladies corral that individual and let them know, ‘Hey, you’re not alone, we support you 100 percent,’ that is the struggle with remaining undefeated or even continuing play,” coach Boyd said.
In practice, the girls were all business.
“I mean, I feel like it’s a team effort,” Gabby said. “It’s a pretty cool thing to have; (a) work-hard, play-later mentality.”
Their work ethic and the belief in themselves transferred from practice to gameday.
“We teach it, we drill it, we practice it,” coach Boyd said. “Faith, just believing that when you go out there that there’s nobody better. No matter what, you learn from it.”
Photo provided
Hillary Labis (standing) carries around Alana Eckwood after a Wolves victory at Westville High School.
All the girls fought hard. Hillary Labis was the top scorer. Iyahni Grinston and Alana Eckwood also were strong on offense.
Zaira Vargas was tough in the post, while Ava Kelley and Vivian Tepper also were effective. Gabby and Laniyah Wrice provided scrappy hustle play.
They all played with intensity to make this season mean something to them.
“We’ve done a good job working together, and played a team sport,” Hillary said.
Just like the players, the coaches worked together to make Krueger Middle School history. Coach Boyd is assisted by coach Brandon Williams. The pair previously coached together at Michigan City High School.
“The great thing about it is that I have a coach who works with me, who co-directs with me; we do this together,” coach Boyd said. “So when you have that support system, it makes everything so much easier.”
After such a great season, the girls can take their experience and move forward with it for promising futures.
“We can get places with basketball,” Iyahni said. “(There are) a lot of things you can do, like colleges, and it makes your body get more fit.”
Coach Boyd will remember and root for them. He just hopes they remember his appetite.
“To see them grow, that is something to be proud of,” he said. “All I tell them is that, ‘When you make it big, just make sure you send me a salad from Subway.’”
Photo provided
The final score of one of Krueger’s dominant wins this season.