A perfect record — 25-0 — in the most imperfect season in Texas high school basketball history — was the major accomplishment of the Georgetown Lady Eagles junior varsity team. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the results of a nose swab, at times, were as or more important than positive play on the court in both games and practices. For example, coach Corey Cunningham’s all-sophomore group claimed 20 wins on the court — eight in District 25-5A competition — and five other district victories by forfeit as a result of alterations in the original schedule. The Lady Eagles played only four games in which they did not win by 28 or more points. Their closest contest was a 13-point win over Cedar Park in the next-to-the-last actual game of the season. In outscoring its opponents by an average of 32.2 points a game, Georgetown won 13 contests by 35 or more points. Included in the hardwood carnage were a 67-5 win over Waco La Vega and a 71-6 victory over Marble Falls.
Now let’s put the season in perspective, the same basic group — minus guard Brooke White, who played on the JV in her first high-school year — compiled a 29-0 record on coach Katie Youngblood’s GHS Freshman Blue squad during the 2019-2020 season, That’s 54-0 over their first two campaigns. Cunningham, in his second season on coach Rhonda Farney’s staff, operating with a usual starting lineup of White, Erica Ramthun, and Taylor Meyners at guard, Amiya Gonzales at forward, and Madelyne Furr at Center. The group was without the previous season’s scoring leader Ainsley Pelczar, a 5-9 forward, who was sidelined by a leg injury that required surgery. He also had a strong bench in versatile guard Jane Butler, guard/forward Avery Lopez, guard Natalie Rivera, and center Abby Brent.
“I’m so proud of our JV and their second undefeated season,” GHS head coach Rhonda Farney said. “Even more, I’m pleased with how they bonded together as a team. They are already taking steps to become stronger and more skilled. “Thank you to our JV parents who kept our players safe and allowed us to coach them. Also, a huge thanks goes to all the girls who played scout team for the varsity. They were an essential piece in the success that we had (on the varsity level). And to listen to them, they learned a lot and had fun.” The GHS varsity finished second in the 25-5A race and was a Region IV-5A finalist with a 26-5 record with three of the setbacks have been to 5A state champion Cedar Park.
Cunningham, who came to GHS from Cameron Yoe, had the following to say about his unbeaten warriors: “This group of girls was a fun group to coach. They have a love for the game and a love for each other. The players celebrated each other’s success and really didn’t care who scored the most as long as the team did well. “The biggest reward was seeing the individual progress of the players throughout the season. As a result of that, I saw the team continually improve throughout the season. “Their seeds of success were sown in previous years as they have been playing together quite awhile. They went undefeated as freshmen. When COVID hit and they were quarantined they were diligent to do daily workouts at home. “In the fall league, they chose to play in the varsity division. They took some hits but it made them stronger. Before the season and throughout the season they practiced hard against the varsity. All of this made them prepared and confident to face any JV team. “I was pleased that even though they were winning each game, they still were coachable and worked hard to get better. They saw the big picture and truly want success at the next level. “I would say the highlights of the year were finishing undefeated at 25-0 and beating Cedar Park for the district championship. There is a natural rivalry there, so it was great to beat them.”
From the player’s perspective:
* What were the keys to the JV’s success this season and its strengths?
Brooke White — “I believe the keys to success for this JV team were the chemistry and trust between every player on the team. I think I can speak for everyone on the team when there is a sub that no one doubted anyone and had faith in each and every one. I think we were a strong team because of how long we have all been playing together.”
Taylor Meyners — “I think some of the keys to our success this year would be the team chemistry. There was no drama amongst the team which made us stronger as a unit.”
Madelyne Furr — “The keys to our success was working as a team and counting on each other, and our strengths were trusting each other to make the right play.”
Amiya Gonzales — “I think the success to our season was we had a really good bond at the start of the season which made us trust each other on and off the court.”
Jane Butler — “I think the key to our success is that all of us work well together.”
Avery Lopez — “The key to JV’s success this season was the chemistry we had with each other and how well we played together. Our strengths were being able to execute and score even when we were missing people.”
Anisley Pelczar — “I think the keys to our success this year was how long we’ve played together. Almost all of us have been playing together since middle school and I think that is a big reason why we’re so successful. Our strengths this year were our defense and how well we could move the ball. It was really hard for other teams to score on us because of how aggressively we defended.”
* What do you feel you contributed to the team?
Brooke White — ” … a good sense of leadership and allowed everyone to feel welcomed. I feel that everyone was encouraged and that made it a super fun season”
Taylor Meyners — ” … leadership to the team this year. I always was supportive of my teammates.”
Madelyne Furr — “I feel that I contributed by being encouraging to my teammates.”
Amiya Gonzales — ” … by getting the rebounds and giving the ball to our guards.”
Jane Butler — ” … good shooting and a friendly face.”
Avery Lopez — “I feel like I finished the season strong when I was needed to and had a lot of assists and rebounds.”
Ainsley Pelczar — “I was injured this season, so I wasn’t able to play, but I tried to stay involved with the team. I think I contributed by telling them the things I noticed from the bench and what I thought they could do to score or stop a player from scoring.”
*What do you feel were the highlights of the undefeated season?
Brooke White — “Some of the most memorable highlights of this undefeated season were just the little things, like celebrating in the locker room after and going down the bench full of high fives, and overall just all the love and support each and every one of us have for each other.”
Taylor Meyners — ” … being undefeated the whole season, for two years in a row. And becoming really close to each other which made us a good team.”
Madelyne Furr — ” … performing together as a team and knowing that anyone on the court could do what they were supposed to do.”
Amiya Gonzales — ” … when Madelyne made the two-pointer in the varsity game (against San Antonio Veterans Memorial in bi-district) and everyone got really hyped up.”
Jane Butler — ” … winning all of our games as a team and stepping up to the challenge when we needed to.”
Avery Lopez — ” … beating Cedar Park (44-31), our toughest competitor, when we were a player down. All of the girls stepped up to come out and win against them.”
Ainsley Pelczar — “My favorite part of the undefeated season was definitely that we were able to keep our undefeated record because winning is always fun. Even though I couldn’t play, I enjoyed being able to help my teammates in ways that I normally wouldn’t, if I was playing.”
* What are your future goals for your GHS career and down the road (college, life, etc.)?
Brooke White — “Though I don’t have any set goals at the moment, I do plan on continuing my basketball career in college and hopefully graduating to start my own business with interior design. I am super excited for the upcoming seasons here.”
Taylor Meyners — “I really don’t know what career path I want to follow yet, but I really want to play college basketball. That’s a big goal for me.”
Madelyne Furr — “After high school, my goal is to go to college and get into medical school.”
Amiya Gonzales — “Some of my goals for GHS are to get my ball handing better and my jump shot. Later in my life, I’m going to go to college to become a CNA.”
Jane Butler — “No sure yet.”
Avery Lopez — “I will continue to play Lady Eagle basketball throughout my high school career. After that, I will attend college and hopefully get a job in the medical field.”
Ainsley Pelczar — “My future plans at GHS is to hopefully make it to state and win. After high school, I would like to play basketball in college somewhere.”
* Is there anything else you would like to add?
Taylor Meyners — “I just want to thank the coaches for getting us to where we are now.”
Amiya Gonzales — “EFND.”
For most of the JV players, earning a spot on next season’s varsity, which will be graduating four seniors — both forwards and two of the four guards — will be a major goal and quest.
***
LADY EAGLES JV ROSTER 2020-2021
Coach: Corey Cunningham
No. — Player (Cl., Pos.)
10 — Natalie Rivera (So., guard)
13 — Erica Ranthum (So., guard)
14 — Brooke White (So., guard)
15 — Avery Lopez (So., guard/forward)
20 — Taylor Meyners (So., guard)
21 — Ainsley Pelczar (So., forward)
22 — Madelyne Furr (So., center)
24 — Amiya Gonzales (So., forward)
25 — Jane Butler (So., guard)
30 — Abby Brent (So., center)
Manager: Jasmine Baltierra.
***
LADY EAGLES JV 2020-12021 RECORD
(25-0. 13-0 in 25-5A)
Opponent Score
Cedar Ridge (W) 68-22
Waco Midway (W) 60-25
RR Westwood (W) 55-38
Lorena (W) 63-20
Bryan Rudder (W) 75-20
RR McNeil (W) 69-24
Round Rock (W) 64-27
Waco La Vega (W) 67- 5
Belton (W) 58-10
Florence Varsity (W) 46-30
Leander Glenn* (W) 48-26
Marble Falls* (W) 71- 6
East View* (W) 55-26
Boerne (W) 51-23
Copperas Cove (W) 56-19
Leander* (W) 55-13
Liberty Hill* (W) 57-26
East View* (W) 66-27
Cedar Park* (W) 44-31
Leander* (W) 63-28
District Wins By Forfeit
Leander Rouse, twice; Marble Falls, once; Leander Glenn, once; Liberty Hill, once.
***
LADY EAGLES 2019-2020 FRESHMAN RECORD
(29-0, 11-0 in 18-5A)
Opponent Score
Cedar Ridge (W) 38-15
Waco Midway (W) 45-23
Vista Ridge (W) 45-22
Copperas Cove (W) 60-15
Pflugerville Hendrickson (W) 52-6
Buda Hays (W) 41-6
Austin Vandegrift (W) 59-34
Victoria East (W) 34-7
Lorena (W) 53-20
Austin Vandegrift (W) 46-19
Kyle Lehman (W) 60-13
Hutto (W) 28-13
Stony Point (W) 49-14
Vista Ridge (W) 36-21
Bastrop* (W) 58-14
Austin Westlake (W) 44-12
Elgin* (W) 71-2
Burnet (W) 48-16
Manor* (W) 57-9
Cedar Creek* Cancelled (Weather)
Hutto* (W) 53-14
East View* (W) 73-29
Bastrop* (W) 47-17
Elgin* (W) Forfeit
Lampasas (W) 42-15
Cedar Creek* (W) Forfeit
Jarrell JV (W) 56-13
Manor* (W) 63-11
Hutto* (W) 65-29
East View* (W) 67-11
* — denotes 18-5A game.