The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

In a season of growth, success doesn't come from stats, wins or losses. It comes from the grit and determination from players on and off the court ... and later down the line, goals of making it to the post season and doing just that. Despite the odds stacked against them with a last minute coaching change requiring a whole new game plan, the Lady Bulldogs set out determined to make the 2023-24 season a memorable one and the team did just that and they did it together.

The Lady Bulldog basketball season came to a close in the first round of Regional play in Fowler on Friday evening, but despite coming up shy of a State tournament appearance, this year's team has much to be proud of.

"These girls make me so proud. They have a never-give up attitude and so much determination. From the first day of the season, we talked about how each member of the team was a puzzle piece. Each piece was the same size, and no more important that the piece beside it. Throughout the season, the girls worked hard to discover how they all fit together - how to make thier program what they wanted it to be," said Head Coach Alicia Schram. "Their improvement over the season was absolutely amazing to watch. We watched their love for the sport grow every single day. After the first couple of games of the season, we realized that this season was going to be one based on growth and development. The girls weren't satisfied with just growth and development - they took us to post season. Playing in March was definitely a goal I had in my own mind, but the girls were determined to make it happen."

Despite a four-game losing streak to start the season, the Lady Bulldogs picked up a commanding win over Holyoke in mid-December that gave the team momentum going into the second half of the season.

Haxtun would go on to beat the Lady Dragons twice more while also picking up a huge Lower Platte League win over Caliche in front of a home crowd, a one point win on the road in Leyton, Neb. and a two-point win over Otis on the road - just a few highlights from this year's season.

The Lady Bulldogs secured a spot in Districts and ended with a RPI high enough for a 25th seed in a 32-team bracket that gave Haxtun a chance to compete at Regionals.

The Lady Bulldogs finished with a 7-14 overall record this season. The team won three of their five games at home and went 2-5 on the road.

This year's roaster included three seniors: Alexis Kleimola, Cassidy Goddard and Grace Gibson.

"This group has been so fun to be around. They are one of the most kind, lighted-hearted group of girls. They always work hard, but they never fail to have fun as well. We had a lot of laughs as a team," Schram said. "Basketball is an extremely long season. After our final loss in Fowler, there were 20 broken hearts in our locker room. We weren't ready to be done. That's how you know you had a successful season. The scorebooks don't show the actual wins we had this season and I can't wait to keep building on those wins. I had absolutely no idea that I could love coaching this much. I had an amazing group of girls, three assistant coaches that gave a 1,000% every single day, managers that always took care of every single detail, an amazing Athletic Director that always supported us and a community that is the absolute best. My heart couldn't be more full. I cannot wait for summer work to begin. The Lady Bulldogs have some things we can't wait to accomplish next year!"