GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM WORKING ITS WAY TO THE TOP
The girls basketball team finished the 2023-24 season feeling like the best was yet to come. The Gryphons had bested the previous year’s record, and they saw the improvement that came from an offseason spent training and conditioning. Now, with much of the 2024-25 season still left to play, the girls basketball team has once again improved on their season record and is feeling optimistic about the future.
“It’s a young team, but full of potential,” said Head Coach Taylor Parker. “We have good, dedicated players, and they’re eager to put in extra work outside of the typical practices and games, like extra shooting and ball handling. Each week we’re seeing progress.”
Parker sets specific objectives for players to work on during each practice, such as breaking down guards and posts into separate groups to work on position-specific skills, developing ball handling, homing in on the team’s defensive concepts, or shooting. Together it all adds up to a more well-rounded, highly skilled team.
Freshman Quinn Maldonado leads the team in scoring this season, with support from sophomore guard Cate Alumkal, who leads the team in assists. Alumkal is also dominating the defensive end and leads the team in rebounds and steals. Junior Alexi Magdich has been a standout in the post, while sophomore Libby Schuster has earned recognition for her hustle, consistently going all-out for her teammates. Parker pointed out another sophomore, Mickey Drozdowski, for being the most improved player this year and earning more and more playing time throughout the season.
This is the second season with Parker as head coach, and players have embraced her tough, team-focused, hard-work-oriented approach to the game. They have a shared vision for what the team can become, and the athletes have gelled as they work to make it a reality. When they’re not on the court, you’ll often find teammates hanging out, studying, and taking trips together to college games where they can observe and learn from more experienced players.
“There’s real chemistry on this team,” said Parker. “I’ve been proud to see the camaraderie and cross-grade friendships develop throughout the season. Our practices are always intense, but energetic and fun, too, and working hard together has helped make us a better team.”
The team has its eyes set on winning more conference and district games this year, and making it to the Catholic High School League’s tournament in mid-February. With only the top three teams in the division earning a spot, competition is fierce. With a stronger record, growing confidence, and two conference wins already secured, the Gryphons are proving they belong among the league’s best. And they’re just getting started.
“The future looks bright for our program,” Parker adds. “The underclassmen are already getting good playing time, and there is so much opportunity for them to grow in the coming years. It’s a great group of girls we have at Greenhills, with a ton of support and a positive environment.”
