Lasting Triumph: The Enduring Spirit of Holy Cross Women's Basketball's Successful Culture

The Holy Cross women's basketball team has had an impressive season, culminating in a victory in the Patriot League Trophy game against UT Martin. The team, led by head coach Maureen Magarity, steamrolled UT Martin with a 27-point win, securing their place in the NCAA Tournament.

The team's success throughout the season can be attributed to a shift in culture and mentality. Even during a mid-season four-game losing streak, the team managed to bounce back and continue their winning ways. This resilience was a testament to the team's strong bond and unwavering determination.

In the Patriot League Trophy game, senior guard Cara McCormack shone brightly, scoring 23 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and converting 7 three-pointers. Her performance was a fitting end to a stellar career at Holy Cross, where she helped the team to two regular season Patriot League titles, two Patriot League Tournament Championships, appearances in March Madness back-to-back, and an NCAA Tournament win.

Sophomore guard Kaitlyn Flanagan, who started in all 34 of the Crusaders' games this past season, was also a key player. She led the Patriot League in assists, assists per game, and assist-to-turnover ratio. Her maturity beyond her years and consistent habits helped her improve each day, making her a valuable asset to the team.

The team's next opponent in the NCAA Tournament was the number one-seeded Iowa Hawkeyes, led by NCAA all-time leading scorer Caitlin Clark. Despite the tough challenge, the Crusaders remained confident and focused on the task at hand. Simone Foreman, who guarded Caitlin Clark, had a tough task in defending UT Martin's offense.

Coach Magarity's approach to coaching has been instrumental in the team's success. She listens to her players and takes their input into account, allowing them to be themselves and function under their own umbrella. This approach has created a close-knit community within the team, with players such as Callie Wright, a Memphis transfer, being attracted to Holy Cross because of its academics and close-knit community.

The players also relied on each other for support during tough times. Cara McCormack and Bronagh Power-Cassidy, for example, relied on the support of their teammates when they were not playing at their best. This camaraderie has been a key factor in the team's success.

The women's NCAA championship game reached 18.7 million viewers, greatly surpassing the men's championship game. The Holy Cross-Iowa game was the most watched first-round game in women's NCAA history.

Unfortunately, the team will be without seniors Bronagh Power-Cassidy, Cara McCormack, Janelle Allen, and Callie Wright next season. These four players have been instrumental in the team's success and will be missed. The team ended the regular season with an overall record of 21-13 and defeated Bucknell, Loyola, and Boston University in the Patriot League Tournament.

Despite the departures, Coach Magarity remains optimistic about the future of the team. She has been diligently preparing for the next round of the tournament and is confident that the team will continue to thrive. Lindsay Berger, a junior forward, chose Holy Cross because it fit her criteria for a great academic school, and she is excited about the opportunity to lead the team next season.

In conclusion, the Holy Cross women's basketball team has had an impressive season, culminating in a victory in the Patriot League Trophy game against UT Martin. The team's success can be attributed to a shift in culture and mentality, strong camaraderie, and the leadership of Coach Maureen Magarity. Despite the departures of several key players, the team remains optimistic about the future and is looking forward to the next round of the tournament.

Lasting Triumph: The Enduring Spirit of Holy Cross Women's Basketball's Successful Culture