It's about more than Bringing Home the Gold Ball

*This post was written in March of 2021 after the Lady Braves season ended before making it to the Big House. It was posted on Facebook.*

The joy is in the journey.

2020-2021 Lady Brave Seniors Photo Credit Unknown (Photo on social media)

To the 2020-21 Lady Braves Basketball team and their families. I know this season did not have the ending you wanted, but this year was about so much more. Years down the road the memories that will be treasured are greater than bringing home the gold ball.

The joy is in the journey.

Lady Braves celebrating 60-51 win over New Site. Photo Credit to Jerry Charbauski

The journey made this year special. The bonds forged, the tears shed, the inside jokes, the bus rides, the music blasting getting the team pumped before arriving at the opponent's gym, the early morning/late practices, Coach Middleton laughing with y'all and losing it with y'all (you will all remember the look), the summer practices you held on your own, eating before games and after games, Subway, El P, loaded teas, playing through an uncertain season, quarantine, temperature checks, workouts in the blazing heat because you could not risk being indoors together, sore muscles, bruised and banged up bodies, and I could go on. These are the memories you will relive a hundred times in your heart.

The joy is in your journey.

Senior, Maura Nunley, and Sophomore, Hallie Durham,

celebrating Lady Braves win. Photo Credit to Jerry Charbauski

For the community, you gave us all so much. 2020 was a challenging year, to say the least. You gave us hope, something to get excited about, something to discuss other than COVID and quarantine, something to believe in again. We knew for a couple of hours we could step away from the chaos of life and enjoy watching magic happen. You showed us how to celebrate our friend's victories, how to face adversity with dignity and class, and how to get back up after defeat to try again. We celebrated your victories and walked with you in your losses.

The joy is in our journey with you.

Lady Braves and Blue Crew cheering on players for scoring. Photo Credit to Jerry Charbauski

You, the Lady Braves, became the hottest ticket in town, for those that could not get their hands on a voucher or ticket throughout the season were scrambling to view the game on Facebook Live through Jack Ivy Sr. or listen to Fred Counce and Michael Puckett on the radio. You gave us something to believe in again. You gave us joy in your journey.

The joy is in the journey for all of us.

Celebrating 1st Round Playoff win. Photo Credit to Jerry Charbauski

Hold your head high seniors because even though your high school basketball career has come to a close, you have a new chapter beginning. These past few years have taught you innumerable lessons. You can conquer the world. You can make this world a better place because you have made Tishomingo County better and you have made the Lady Braves program better. When you hang up your jersey for the final time a new young lady will put that jersey on and wear it with pride because of the legacy you have left.

Always remember, the joy is in the journey, once a brave always a brave, and we believe.

2021 District 1-4A Champions Photo credit unknown (photo from social media)

#onepercent #builtbytc #TCLadyBravesBasketball #webelieve #onceabravealwaysabrave #thejoyisinthejourney #25out #20out #21out #2out #10out #district14achamps #roadtothechampionshipstartsintheoffseason

*This post was written in March of 2021 after the Lady Braves season ended before making it to the Big House. It was posted on Facebook.