This year’s Golden Warriors girls basketball team was one to remember. The Golden Warriors collected a number of awards throughout their season.
The Golden Warriors not only set a program record with 30 wins, they also won the Western Big Six conference for the first time in history, and continued their success into the postseason by winning the regional game for the first time since 2019 and sectional championship for the first time since 2007, both in very compelling fashion. These amazing feats earned head coach Taylor Jackson the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Girls Coach of the Year award.
Jackson said, “I was very surprised to be awarded this by the IBCA. It has been an exciting year, an amazing group of players and an awesome group of coaches.” She continued by stating, “Our success as a whole group is what made this year so enjoyable and that is attributed to everyone in our program and the hard work that they put in.”
The team’s stars shined bright during the season. Headlined by senior Illinois State commit Madison Austin, who finished her senior year as a member of the 1000-point club, earned first team all conference, first team all state, and was named co-mvp of the conference. Austin will go down as one of the most notable Golden Warriors to ever grace Homer B. Musgrove Fieldhouse. Austin said that the season was “really exciting” and that she was “glad they got to leave [their] mark as a team and improve so much in just a couple years!”
To continue, sophomore Joslynn James shined bright during her second season on the varsity squad.
James was the team’s second leading scorer behind Austin and scored 24 points in the sectional championship game as well as 29 points in the teams 54-58 overtime loss in the super-sectional game against Washington. These scoring performances helped James earn first team all conference honors as well as third team all-state honors.
Senior Merrick Amankwa, as well as junior Jaelynn James, were two role players for the Golden Warriors who were also recognized for their efforts. Amankwa earned second team all conference honors and James earned honorable mention.
To finish the Golden Warriors phenomenal season, Amankwa and Austin both were invited and participated in the Iowa vs. Illinois Senior All-Star game, a game to honor the top senior players in the area on both sides of the Mississippi.
Amankwa stated, “It was a really fun experience and nice to be able to put on a Sterling jersey one last time to end it on a high note.”
Austin led the Illinois squad with 17 points and 12 rebounds during the contest.
All in all, it was a season to remember. The girls basketball team solidified themselves as one of the best teams of all time after their numerous team and individual accomplishments. A season full of fun and dominance will be hard to replicate and will be remembered for a long time.
