A Season of Firsts | DigitalThistle

Post-Gazette Class A player of the year, junior Ayanna Townsend
Head coach Monica Williams (C) with assistant coaches Carlita Evans (L) and Inaya Stephenson ’10 (Back) motivate the team during the WPIAL Championship game.
WT student section cheers on the team at the WPIAL Championship game.
Senior Kayla Small
Freshman Emma Small

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e’re going to ‘The Pete!’ We’re going to ‘The Pete!’” This chant roared out of the WT Girls Basketball locker room after their victory in the WPIAL Semi-finals, sealing their place in the WPIAL Championship game at the University of Pittsburgh’s Petersen Events Center. This win marked the first time in WT Girls Basketball that the team reached the Championship game.

Junior Luka van de Venne

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The road to The Pete started with many other “firsts”: an undefeated record in the section, an ensuing section championship, and something only two other WT teams have accomplished—a number one ranking in the state. With these triumphs, the team earned a bye in the first round of WPIAL playoff action, quickly followed by a 20-point victory over Sewickley Academy (52-32) in the second round of playoffs. Junior forward Ayanna Townsend set the momentum for the semi-final round by earning her 1,000th point within the first few minutes of the game. The team defeated West Greene in a nail-biter (55-50) and qualified for the WPIAL Championship game.

In a season during which the team was ranked number one in the state for much of the run, these accomplishments were just a glimmer of what was yet to come.

The girls secured the WPIAL Championship title with a defeat over Cornell (52-41) earning another first for the program—and they didn’t stop there. They continued to make school history by earning the school’s first-ever Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) playoff win in girls basketball against Northern Potter (55-24). The storybook season ended in a hard-fought battle against Juniata Valley in the second round of state playoffs.

Head Coach Monica ‘Nika’ Williams and Assistant Coaches Carlita Evans and Inaya Stephenson ’10 were honored to be a part of this season of firsts and its promise for the future. “This year was a surreal season that went beyond my expectations. It set the tone for years to come and helped to build the reputation of WT’s basketball program,” noted Williams.

WT fans—students, parents, alumnae/i, faculty, and staff alike—also rallied in support of the team. As Kevin Miller, Director of Athletics, acknowledged, “The best part about sports is that they provide the opportunity to bring communities together—and our Girls Basketball team did just that this year. When the girls got their medals in front of a packed, purple house, I was just so happy for the team and grateful to be on the ride.”