The senior class will finish with the most career victories in school history — 50 and counting. The previous mark of 48 was set by the two prior outgoing classes, Gannon said.
“50 wins in four years is just amazing,” he said.
»SATURDAY’S HS ROUNDUP: Greeneview’s Witt wins state golf title
The Braves have also gone 33-3-2 in the Central Buckeye Conference, winning titles as freshmen and sophomores. They finished one game back of Tecumseh each of the last two seasons.
After starting the season 3-4, the Braves won eight of their last nine games to finish the season 11-5 and 8-2, one game back of CBC Kenton Trail Division champion Tecumseh.
“We had a tough schedule early on and started slow,” Gannon said. “Once we got into conference, we started rolling.”
The Braves have 10 seniors on their roster , including one four-year letterwinner in defender Andi Meeks and three three-year letterwinners in Maddie Deam, Mary Lyons and Nyellah Raiff.
The Braves went 15-2-3 when the seniors were freshmen, Deam said, which set the stage for the season’s run.
“When we were freshmen, we got to watch our seniors win all those games,” Deam said. “We really looked up to them.”
After the slow start, the key was coming together as a team.
“We were doubting the season a little bit,” Meeks said. “I feel like we got a lot closer and we started bonding and being able to connect with each other. That really helped.”
The Braves finished the season with three players in the top five in scoring in the CBC. Sophomore Raegan Howdyshell was second in the CBC with 46 points, including 20 goals and six assists. Sophomore Megan Kelly was fourth with 34 points (10 goals, 14 assists) and Deam was fifth with 31 points (10 goals, 11 assists).
“We work together more and we rely on everyone instead of just a few people,” Deam said. Our passing is just so great that we have so much chemistry. If we work together, we can definitely win.”
With the regular season in the rearview mirror, the Braves will look to make a run at a third district appearance in four years.
Shawnee is seeded third in the Division II Southwest 2 Sectional/District and will host the winner of Bellefontaine and Northwestern at 7 p.m. Thursday.
“(The third seed) speaks highly to what others think of us,” Gannon said. It’s a tough path. On any given day, anything can happen. I told the girls, ‘We didn’t get the CBC, but let’s go on a run.”
With a victory, the Braves could face top-seeded Tippecanoe, who beat them 3-1 in a district semifinal match last year.
“I think this year we’re closer and we’re willing to do more to win,” Raiff said.
The senior class has been a huge part of the program’s success since they stepped foot onto the field four years ago.
“They’re great people,” Gannon said. “They buy in to what I’m trying to coach. They’re right — the chemistry of this group has been closer than any group they’ve been a part of. They’ve been a big part of that.”
The respect is mutual. Gannon has also been a big part of their success, Lyons said.
“He’s been there for us through anything,” she said.
About the Author