Photo by Army National Guard
The Lady Knights of
West Holmes in Millersburg, Ohio were presented with the Army National Guard national ranking trophy, or the Minuteman trophy as it is also known, at a special school assembly on May 9. MaxPreps ranked the girls basketball team No. 57 for the 2013-14 season out of over 20,000 girls varsity basketball teams in the country.
West Holmes is one of only 10 girls basketball teams being honored and presented with the Army National Guard trophy nationwide.
The Lady Knights completed a perfect 29-0 season when they won the Ohio State Championship, beating Archbishop Alter of Kettering on March 15. The team set a school record for most wins in a season as they claimed the Ohio Division II title. Interesting trivia includes the fact that some of the players' moms had played on the team when the Lady Knights claimed the state title during the 1986-87 season.
The award was presented to Coach Lisa Patterson and the team by Major Tonia McCurdy and Sergeant Steven Nelisse of the Ohio Army National Guard. Major McCurdy spoke enthusiastically to the players, drawing not only from her professional background but also from her own personal experience in playing both high school and college basketball. She praised the girls' hard work, effort, teamwork and commitment. Coach Patterson commended the players and emphasized that they will carry this accomplishment with them throughout their lives.
This very special school assembly took place in the school gymnasium with students, teachers, family and friends. The event was broadcast live on local radio station WKLM. The local Walmart donated refreshments for everyone, including dozens of cookies and five sheet cakes that were each decorated with congratulatory messages to the team and the school!
Congratulations Lady Knights and thank you West Holmes High School! Hope to see you next year on the Tour of Champions!
