When considering BIC high school athletics as a whole, there is one team that has stood out from the pack as the most successful at our school over the past three years – The Lady Mustangs basketball team. Coached by Trevor Matheny and lead by Seniors Josephine Hanneken and Jaylyn Cagle, the Lady Mustangs notched another winning season and finished among the top ten teams in the 2A division.
BIC alumni Matheny has served as head coach for four years, a career that has seen the team winning District runner-up for three seasons in a row. Having previously been a part of the 2006 State Championship winning team, Matheny is trying to bring the knowledge that he learned under his former coach, Bill Taylor, to his current teams.
“I really have enjoyed coaching all of the groups of girls through the years; they all have a lot of talent and work ethic to bring to the table,” said Matheny.
Senior Forward Josephine Hanneken is a player who is known for putting in maximum effort on the court. Primarily known for her defense and rebounding, Hanneken averaged 6.5 points per game and pulled down an impressive 11.3 rebounds per game on the season.
Haneken has always been a natural leader and supporter of her teammates. Junior Chandler Gathright emphasized Hanneken’s leadership ability, saying, “Jo is my biggest supporter on our team. I admire the way she carries herself through the hardest situations. She’s been a huge role model in my life, especially the last couple of years.”
Senior guard, Jaylynn Cagle, is a student who faced a lot of adversity to start the season in the form of a serious knee injury that she faced.
“I had to go to therapy three days per week for nine weeks, and honestly just had to push through and toughen up,” said Cagle.
Cagle’s dedication paid off as she averaged 6.5 points per game, and led the team with a whopping 60.0% from the free throw line, and shot 21.4% on her threes.
“Jaylynn has always worked hard at everything she does, and it will be hard to fill her shoes when she graduates,” said Coach Matheny.
“Jaylyn and Josephine are our two seniors this year, and it will be hard to fill their shoes. They have always come in when they didn’t have to so they can get better and set a good example to the younger girls, which I appreciate,” said Coach Matheny.
One standout player on the team is point guard Chandler Gathright. Gathright has had a strong season overall, leading the team in scoring while averaging 19.6 points per game, and averaging 66.8% from the free throw line, as well as 29.8% on three pointers.
Besides her scoring ability, she is a leader off the court as well. Gathright always goes out of her way to support, help, and encourage her teammates. Cagle reiterated Gathright’s leadership abilities, saying, “Chandler has always been a rock for me and I know she has been for the other girls as well. She’s funny, good at what she does, and always brings the good vibes into practice.”
Gathright explained that their team was really strong overall, but needed to work on additional things to improve before next saying, saying, “This year we did great as a whole team, but one thing I wish we could get better on is our effort and free throws so we will be better and a more competitive team next season.”
Junior combo guard Emma Kate McCord is one of the primary rebounders and shooters on the team, averaging 9.5 points per game, including 50% percent from the free throw line, and sinking 24% percent of her three pointers.
“EK is by far my biggest supporter and she always manages to make me and the whole team feel 1000 percent better after a bad day or a hard practice,” said Hanneken.
The Lady Mustangs finished with an imposing record of 27-10, earning second in the Conference Championships and earning a bid to the State Championship. While they finished the season with a disappointing loss to Dierks, the returning Lady Mustangs have their sights set on another successful season, and will cherish the memories they made with their graduating teammates.
“This year has definitely been one for the books,” Coach Matheny said.
