Pitch black, shoes squeaking against the shiny gym floor, the dribbling of basketballs syncs up with heartbeats. The Lady Bears always go for their shot– even while being blindfolded.
Although basketballs were shot in the complete opposite direction of the basket, this practice drill taught the team communication skills. Watching as they worked together made plain the kind of bond they have curated over time.
Unique drills like these are part of what has led to the Lady Bear’s many successes, such as their win against Old Bridge in the Greater Middlesex Conference quarterfinals. Samantha Leaderman, who was varsity captain for two years, happily describes how the team, “…ended up dancing, screaming, yelling, and never stopped smiling” and how “this win showcased everything we worked for day in and day out.”
For the senior players, this season was unfortunately their last. The girls will miss the inspiring environment their team has developed throughout the years, but are able to look back on their high school careers with pride in their hard work and gratitude to Coach Retz. Leaderman says Coach Retz “instills confidence in all of us and his dedication to the program helps us achieve the level of success we continue to reach.” As the season comes to an end, the underclassmen are ecstatic to continue developing this team for next year.

Gallery • 5 Photos

The Senior Lady Bears pose for a picture together.