After the final regular season home game for the Oakmont Girls Varsity Basketball team, Jayme Davis raised her arms in triumph yelling, “I’m A Lady Spartan!” The 5th grader at Westminster Elementary School didn’t hit the winning shot, but did get to experience what it means to be a Lady Spartan. Jayme plays for the Oakmont Youth Basketball League. During Friday’s Senior Night game against Narragansett, Jayme, her teammates and players from the 5th grade team got the privilege of being Lady Spartans for the night.
Before the game, the Varsity Girls, coaches and OYBL players went into the fitness room to meet and ask questions. The Varsity players explained what it was like to play for Oakmont. Teamwork, honor and family were the main topics. Emily Boucher, the sole Senior on the team was playing her last regular season home game for Oakmont. “Mama Duck” as her teammates call her, sat quietly, listening to her team talk about her to the young girls who sat in awe. The respect and love they had for her filled the conversation.
Next, the whole group went into the team locker room for the pre-game speech given by Head Coach Jeff O’Neil. “Win this one for Bouch,” he exclaimed, “Let’s bring it in.” The Varsity girls all gathered together, hands in the center of the circle. “You too girls,” he added, beckoning the youngsters into the circle. Wide eyed and smiling ear to ear, Jayme and her friends all worked their way into the circle, their little hands reaching for the top of the pile. “TEAM”, they all yelled in unison then went out to the gym and the excitement of the crowd of spectators.
The youngsters lined up along the entrance to the court, slapping hands with each player as they entered into the gym. With confident determination, the Varsity team gathered, chanted their pre-game ritual and then unexpectedly pulled out headbands that they wore during the game, in honor of “Mama Duck’s” traditional headgear.
To the court they sprinted as the OYBL girls ran to their front court seats in the bleachers to cheer on their role models. “Hey coach, they do the same warm up drill as us!” one youngster told her coach. “Hey coach, I only come up to Kristen’s (Enright) waist!” Hey coach, Kristin (Connelly) liked my sweatshirt!”
During the game, Mama Duck rained down 3 pointers, fast breaks were finished with smooth lay-ups and free throws were swished. “B.E.E.F.!” yelled Jayme after a made free throw (Balance, Elbow, Eyes, Follow-through), an acronym for shooting that she learned at the Spartan One Basketball camp. As the game went on, the Varsity girls dominated the game with no let up. This one was for Bouch, a tribute to the Senior leader. As the final horn blew, the youngsters cheered in appreciation for the effort. Across the court they then ran to High 5 their victorious team. “Great game…Nice job… Wow you're good…” The whole group again got together for a team picture then slowly broke up for the locker room and to their rides home. As Jayme walked slowly back toward the bleachers she paused. “I’m a Lady Spartan!” she yelled at midcourt, dreaming of making that game winning shot.
Thank you to Head Coach Jeff O’Neil and his fabulous team. You made my daughter’s dream come true.