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MURFREESBORO — Whitehaven girls basketball coach Lynn Smith likened his team to a bus at the beginning of the season and told them, "This bus is going to Murfreesboro."
That speech included concessions that there would be roadblocks and obstacles along the way.
On Thursday, Smith's team played in Murfreesboro in the opening round of the TSSAA girls basketball state tournament. And while Whitehaven's 59-24 defeat to Bearden (33-5) was far from the desired result, Smith views it as nothing more than a flat tire that needs fixing on the highway of life.
"We're gonna have flat tires, our battery may go dead, but we must get out and fix it and continue to travel," Smith said. " In the sub-state game, I told them, 'Y'all are one block away.' Sports is about belief."
Whitehaven (19-9) was appearing in just its second-ever state tournament (2020 being the other). Despite the loss, it was a special experience for the team, which saw this week as a rare opportunity.
"It was a life-changing experience," said junior forward Jala Wilson, who had nine points. "It definitely opened my eyes up to more competition and showed us what that higher level is going to be. Usually, kids like us, we never make it to these levels. Being girls from Memphis, it's definitely a whole, newer level for us."
A theme of Lynn's bus analogy and of Whitehaven's season, a year when few thought they would make it this far, was overcoming adversity. After a 9-0 Bearden run opened the game, Whitehaven responded to make to finish the first quarter trailing 17-10. From there, Bearden's scoring and defensive tenacity took over.
"They shot the ball extremely well and we knew they were gonna shoot it well," Smith said. "It's our first time with this group, but it's always good experience for the kids. I told them to embrace the moment, not to be afraid of it. It may be a little overwhelming, but it's something they can tell their kids."
Regardless of Thursday's outcome, Whitehaven gained much from the season, including a belief in themselves that'll translate off the hardwood.
"Never give up on something you want to do," said junior Taniyah Hurt of what the season taught her. "Keep pushing, and it'll come. Everybody counted us out at the beginning of the season, but it's great being here even though we lost."
Whitehaven won't be counted out next season. The team will graduate just one senior in forward Deja Dunbar, providing hope for a similar run next season. Even if that isn't the case, Smith said the bus still has to get to the next station.
"We graduate people, we tell them you must go on to the next station, and that's the station of life," he said. "You go to college, you be good people in the community, civic leaders. It never stops rolling."
Wendell Shepherd Jr. is The Commercial Appeal's high school sports beat writer. Reach Wendell at wendell.shepherd@commercialappeal.com or on X @wendellsjr_.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: TSSAA girls basketball state tournament 2025: Whitehaven learns from loss
Continue reading...
That speech included concessions that there would be roadblocks and obstacles along the way.
On Thursday, Smith's team played in Murfreesboro in the opening round of the TSSAA girls basketball state tournament. And while Whitehaven's 59-24 defeat to Bearden (33-5) was far from the desired result, Smith views it as nothing more than a flat tire that needs fixing on the highway of life.
"We're gonna have flat tires, our battery may go dead, but we must get out and fix it and continue to travel," Smith said. " In the sub-state game, I told them, 'Y'all are one block away.' Sports is about belief."
Whitehaven (19-9) was appearing in just its second-ever state tournament (2020 being the other). Despite the loss, it was a special experience for the team, which saw this week as a rare opportunity.
"It was a life-changing experience," said junior forward Jala Wilson, who had nine points. "It definitely opened my eyes up to more competition and showed us what that higher level is going to be. Usually, kids like us, we never make it to these levels. Being girls from Memphis, it's definitely a whole, newer level for us."
A theme of Lynn's bus analogy and of Whitehaven's season, a year when few thought they would make it this far, was overcoming adversity. After a 9-0 Bearden run opened the game, Whitehaven responded to make to finish the first quarter trailing 17-10. From there, Bearden's scoring and defensive tenacity took over.
"They shot the ball extremely well and we knew they were gonna shoot it well," Smith said. "It's our first time with this group, but it's always good experience for the kids. I told them to embrace the moment, not to be afraid of it. It may be a little overwhelming, but it's something they can tell their kids."
Regardless of Thursday's outcome, Whitehaven gained much from the season, including a belief in themselves that'll translate off the hardwood.
"Never give up on something you want to do," said junior Taniyah Hurt of what the season taught her. "Keep pushing, and it'll come. Everybody counted us out at the beginning of the season, but it's great being here even though we lost."
Whitehaven won't be counted out next season. The team will graduate just one senior in forward Deja Dunbar, providing hope for a similar run next season. Even if that isn't the case, Smith said the bus still has to get to the next station.
"We graduate people, we tell them you must go on to the next station, and that's the station of life," he said. "You go to college, you be good people in the community, civic leaders. It never stops rolling."
Wendell Shepherd Jr. is The Commercial Appeal's high school sports beat writer. Reach Wendell at wendell.shepherd@commercialappeal.com or on X @wendellsjr_.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: TSSAA girls basketball state tournament 2025: Whitehaven learns from loss
Continue reading...
