Basketball season has arrived, and after losing in the Region Championship to Warren Central last season, the Bowling Green Purples are looking for redemption as they try to make their way back into the state tournament. After finishing last year with a win-loss record of 23-11 and losing five seniors, leadership will be a key factor for the team. The Purples will need to rebuild a foundation of players so they can progress into the postseason. The Purples started their season off with a win against Todd County Central, beating them 84-53. Following the season opener, the Purples beat Glasgow with a score of 92-38 led by Isaiah Mason, who scored 18 points.
Heading into his final year, senior Trevor Dennis said, “I’m feeling confident in my ability and the team overall. We are looking really good, and I feel like we are gonna make a huge run for my senior season.”
Meanwhile, the Lady Purples ended their season in the Sweet Sixteen with a loss to Elizabethtown (41-62) and a 20-13 win-loss record. They only lost one senior, so the team will have a lot of varsity experience, which will be a key factor as they work towards a return to the state tournament. As the girls have six seniors, the team is scheduled for varsity competition as well as playing in the postseason. The Lady Purples started their season off on the wrong foot, losing 52-44 to 2018’s Region 2 champions, Webster County. After the loss, however, they beat Glasgow 49-27 led by Keyozdon Jones, who scored 12 points.
When asked about turning the season around, senior Taylor Ragland said, “As a team we “embraced the grind” and got our minds focused. Embrace the Grind, which is our team motto, means regardless of adversity we stick to our team principles, work hard, and have fun while doing it. Listening to our coaches, executing game plans, trusting our teammates and playing our roles helped us turn our season around to a now 3-1 record!”
By Naid Gagulic