The 2024-2025 varsity women’s basketball team had its highest winning percentage in 12 years, finishing the season 25-4 and 11-0 in conference play.
With an average margin of victory of 31.3 points, the Tigers were dominant over their competition.
The team was captained by seniors Dezariyah Clark and Ashton Beale, as well as junior Scarlett Gilner. Head coach John French led the coaching staff, which also included assistant coaches Maia Caldwell, Antovia Boone and Jon Norris.
Everyone involved in the program expected the team to be strong. With so many returning stars, success was likely, but the extent of that success remained uncertain.
“[Our] preseason expectations were for us to capture a 20+ win season, go undefeated in conference and win conference again,” Caldwell said. “We set the bar high because we knew what we could accomplish.”
The Tigers opened their season against Cedar Ridge on November 19, securing a dominant 61-24 victory.
While most coaches would have been thrilled with a 37-point win to start the season, Caldwell was not entirely satisfied.
“[The game] was a little shaky in the beginning,” Caldwell said. “We were finding our chemistry and seeing what would work best for us.”
The team’s second game—three days later on November 22 against the Pinecrest Patriots—resulted in a 44-23 victory, moving the Tigers to 2-0.
With a week off before their next game against Athens Drive on November 30, the Tigers focused on improving their chemistry and refining their game plan. The extra practice paid off, as the team won 57-33, with junior Zoe Smith leading the scoring with 15 points.
Following their 3-0 start, the Tigers’ confidence was high. However, that confidence was tested on December 3, when they lost 42-27 to a talented Seaforth High School team. Senior Gabrielle White led Seaforth, scoring half of the team’s points.
The Tigers responded on December 6 with a 56-37 win over Eastern Alamance, improving to 4-1. They then secured two straight conference victories, defeating Orange High School 67-44 on December 10 and the Carrboro Jaguars 54-32 on December 13.
The next day, the Tigers faced Northwood High School and won 44-32, moving to 7-1. On December 19, despite junior Zoe Smith scoring 19 points on 86% shooting, the Tigers fell to the Wakefield Wolverines 61-43.
Looking to bounce back, the team faced Northern Guilford High School on December 27 and delivered their most dominant performance of the season, winning 73-15.
After a close 52-48 victory over Western Alamance on December 28, the Tigers suffered their third loss of the season against Southern Alamance. They rebounded on January 7 with a 36-32 overtime win against the Heritage Huskies and then notched victories over Riverside and Northern Durham on January 14 and 17 respectively.
This dominant run continued, as the Tigers went undefeated in the conference, winning every game by double digits. Apart from a 48-36 victory against the Jordan Falcons on January 31, they defeated every conference opponent by at least 20 points.
Notable results included a 61-19 blowout victory over rival East Chapel Hill on February 14 and a 65-14 win against Northern Durham on senior night.
Caldwell said senior night was one of her favorite memories of the season.
“I’ve built such a bond with this class, and it was pretty special,” Caldwell said. “Seeing everyone come together and celebrate two of our kiddos, the tears that were shed.”
After finishing conference play 11-0, the team entered the playoffs with confidence.
“We have clicked right at the perfect time,” Caldwell said.
On February 25, the Tigers faced Broughton in the first round of the playoffs, winning 60-42. Seniors Dezariyah Clark and Ashton Beale, along with sophomore Stephanie Proano, combined for 50 of the team’s 60 points.
In the second round on February 28, the Tigers edged South Garner 63-60, setting up a third-round matchup with Rolesville on March 4.
Rolesville proved to be too strong, with all five of their starters scoring in double digits. The Tigers fell 72-55.
Sophomore guard Stephanie Proano reflected on the loss.
“[Rolesville] were just really fast, and they hit shots,” Proano said.
While exiting the state tournament in the third round was disappointing, the team successfully achieved Caldwell’s goals of a 20+ win season and a conference championship.
Finishing the season with an .862 winning percentage, the Tigers cemented their legacy as one of the best teams in recent history.
