Overtime

(Cayleigh Griffin, a senior captain on the Trinity Catholic High School girls basketball team, has been blogging about her experiences during the season. This is her final entry.)

By Cayleigh Griffin

As the final buzzer sounded on Walsh Court, I glanced up at the scoreboard to see the final score of 61-46…… it was unfortunately not in our favor.

Our second-round game against Hillhouse was the last time Eileen, Clare, Lelia and I would be playing in a high school basketball game. Some people might say that our season ended up being a disappointment, losing in the FCIAC Championship and the second round of states, ending our home-game winning streak; however, I do not perceive it to be that way at all.

Yes, we did not come away with the medals as we had desired, but our journey was jam-packed with excitement, entertainment and fulfillment. After beginning our season 0-2 and faced with the prospect of a less-than-promising showing in the league, we silenced our naysayers by quietly racking up win after win to advance to the top of the pack. We concluded the regular season 17-3 and clinched the second seed in the FCIAC tournament, an accomplishment our team, families, and school could be proud of.

Mackenzie — my sister, my best friend and such a fierce competitor — it has been an amazing two years together. It has been an honor and pleasure to play along side you and I look forward to seeing how much you mature and thrive as a player in your final two years at Trinity. I expect many double-doubles and an FCIAC Championship medal…or two. I’m going to miss you so much next year but I know you will keep the Griffin name going strong on the basketball court.

Erin: Where would we have been without you? While it was a loss for Stamford High when you returned to Trinity, we would have staggered toward the finish line without your gritty and gutsy play throughout the year. Your tenacious play was infectious. This is your team now!! I eagerly await the chance to witness you dominating the point guard position next year and getting your second FCIAC medal. Set the tone for the underclassmen, but nurture and encourage them so they enjoy the unique experience of being a Lady Crusader. I will miss you so much and cannot wait to come back and see you and Kenz next year.

Clare, Eileen, Lelia: Together, we were the “characters.” I think this was the first year we all really looked forward to going to practice. I thought I would never say that but yes, we did enjoy ourselves. After a rather unspectacular start, I think we did a pretty commendable job of getting everyone back on track and focusing. I’ll never forget Eileen’s quirky sayings, or Clare’s way of making everyone laugh. I especially will never forget Lil’s antics, starting on the bus ride to our first scrimmage, singing the national anthem among other things. Our names are on the wall now and we will never be forgotten! I hope the younger players continue on the path we’ve set.

Kelly, Ali, Jovan, and the rest of the team: I’m so proud of all of you. Each one of you put forth your best effort every day and we would not have been as successful without your contributions in practice and during games. Keep up all the hard work and I expect a title next year!

It has been twelve days since I last touched a basketball and I still feel as if we are just on a long break and any moment now Mr. Kriz will blow his whistle and drills will commence in the gym once again (that is, if our gym isn’t flooded as rumor has it).

With the end of basketball season came the end of my high school athletic career. It is so strange to walk through the back door of our home when the school day ends after never coming home since the end of August. I’m expecting to spend my spring working out and possibly doing some volleyball training. Nothing, however, is going to compare to the experience of playing on a high school team.

If I could share one thing with the incoming freshmen, I would say to try out for at least one team. Playing sports for your high school is probably one of the best experiences you’ll have in your four years. I tried out for volleyball as a freshman having never played before in my life and it became the season I always counted down the days until practice started. It has been a whirlwind year….I just can’t believe it is coming to an end.

This will be my final blog entry of the year and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my coaches for everything they have done for me and my teammates over the past four years.

Mr. Kriz, Mrs. O’Leary, Kasey, Mr. Pucci, and Coach Marj, thank you for providing me with a foundation to build off of and making my four years at Trinity better than I could have ever imagined. I have great admiration for all of you. It has been a remarkable run and I hope whoever wears #4 in volleyball and #32 in basketball next year continues to work hard and strives to be the best they can be every single day.

Seniors, we left it all out there on the court and that’s all we can ask for. It has been my honor to play with you and share these special moments over these four years. No one will be able to replace the “Om Nom Nom” or Lil’s pregame cheer.

As we say farewell, I am confident the teams that follow will continue to maintain the high level of play that has become synonymous with being a Trinity Catholic Lady Crusader.