Lakeland varsity girls basketball team ended their 2024 season with some incredible wins and growth.

The team ended their season with a record of 10-13, with astounding wins over Wayne Hills and Tenafly. Towards the end of the season, they won 7 out of their last 8 games, including a 17 point win over eventual county champ Wayne Hills.

Head coach and physical education teacher at LRHS, Mr. Brian Phillip, told the Ledger, “The season was very successful, they had so much dedication and dominated the court this season.” Their spirit and dedication led them to the second round of counties.

Coach Phillips also pointed out the team always held each other up. “They never let anything put them down or make anyone feel bad for making a mistake on the court.” Some outstanding players he called out for their leadership and skills were junior Jasmine Star, junior Gianna Peralt, freshman Amelia Guardascione, and freshman Madison Kelly.

Guardascione told the Ledger, “Playing varsity this year was exciting. The team spirit was good. We had multiple team bonding days and we were able to get closer to one another.”

Starting the season with a young team led to some growing pains, but after a couple games and practices, they were able to come together and reach their full potential when playing. Coach Phillips praised his team, saying, “They never let anything put them down or make anyone feel bad for making a mistake on the court.”

For the most part, the LRHS girls basketball team was very successful in the end. Star shared, “I feel that our season was very successful in the end, and it made me sad to see that we would have no more games to play together.”