Photo by Army National Guard
During this time of year, the Boston area has turned into full-fledged Red Sox Nation; there's not too much, sporting wise, on other people's minds than baseball and their beloved Sox.
But on this day, the 8th Annual MaxPreps Basketball Tour of Champions presented by the National Guard may have been able change that for just a little as we stopped in Braintree, Mass. to honor the
Braintree Lady Wamps for their miraculous season.
With an impressive 24-win season, the Lady Wamps were not only able to secure their first Division I Massachusetts state title but also finish the season ranked No. 92 out of the entire nation by MaxPreps. For their effort and accomplishments this season, MaxPreps and the National Guard felt that the Lady Wamps were more than worthy of being one of the 10 teams receiving the Army National Guard national ranking trophy.
In an intimate ceremony attended only by fellow athletes and special dignitaries that included the Braintree Mayor, and emceed by the school's athletic director Michael Denise, everyone gathered in Braintree's gym for the ceremony. Denise spoke to the crowd about some of the other accomplishments that the team had aside from the two obvious ones. As the Minuteman trophy sat proudly amongst other trophies that even included a National Player of the Year award, Denise read off what seemed like a never-ending list to the crowd before he handed the program over to the MaxPreps and the National Guard.
Accompanying MaxPreps representative Justin Smith was Sergeant Brian Kilgore, a Massachusetts native as well as a member of the Massachusetts Army National Guard. Being a native to the state and being the recruiter for the school, SGT Kilgore expressed lots of joy and honor when asked how it felt to not only be part of the ceremony but the one to present coach McDonnell with the trophy as well.
From the time that SGT Kilgore and his fellow ANG members walked into the school, it didn't take long to see the respect that the faculty and students alike have for them — from the more obvious displays of respect like saying, "thank you," to the more unconventional styles such as inviting them to play kickball in the middle of their gym class.
When asked why he thinks this team was so successful, Denise responded that it was because they're a grounded group of girls. With the Braintree girls basketball team, they were not overconfident; they don't walk around as if they own the school or that they're any better than any other team at the school for that matter.
If it weren't for their massive amounts of trophies, it would not be blatantly obvious that this is one of the best teams in the nation that also just happens to be the current home of one of the best players, if not the best player, in the nation. With a fairly young team and a good group of players returning, it should come as to no surprise to see Braintree remain a national powerhouse and begin looking to climb the rankings ladder, hopefully making it to No.1 some day.
Congratulations Braintree on a great season and national ranking! Hope to see you again next year!
