Leadership, Belonging, and Girls Basketball at MV

This season marked an important moment in the ongoing growth of the Mount Vernon Girls Basketball program, one shaped by intentional design, deep relationships, and a clear vision for what comes next. Across all three levels, Middle School White, Middle School Blue, and Varsity, the program is no longer operating as separate teams, but as one connected community.

That sense of connection was reflected most clearly in the historic season delivered by the Middle School Girls Blue Basketball team. “The MS Girls Blue Basketball team made history this season with an unforgettable run, finishing as runner-ups in the Metro 10 and posting a 10–3 record, the best season the program has ever seen,” said Rita Williams, Assistant Athletic Director, Middle School. “What made this team special went far beyond the scoreboard. They built real camaraderie on and off the court, forming a bond rooted in trust, hard work, and belief in one another. In the Championship game, the girls fought with heart, grit, and determination until the final buzzer. They never quit, never backed down, and left everything on the floor. This season will be remembered not just for the wins, but for the passion, resilience, and unity that defined this incredible team.”

The momentum is part of a broader, program-wide vision that came to life during a recent girls’ basketball retreat to Auburn, Alabama. Traditionally reserved for Varsity athletes, this retreat brought together every level of the girls’ basketball program to experience competition, connection, and possibility side by side.

“The current state of girls’ basketball is flourishing,” said Varsity Head Coach Jordan Greenleaf. “To see growth across White, Blue, and Varsity shows where this program is headed.” Middle School Blue Head Coach Kourtnay Abernathy helped bring the experience together, aligning it with Mount Vernon’s Impact Ready framework. “We wanted the girls to see that basketball is bigger than Middle School or Varsity,” Abernathy said. “This was about creating systems, relationships, and experiences that show them what’s possible.”

The Auburn weekend was layered with purpose. Middle school athletes watched Varsity compete, teams participated in bonding activities and reflections, and players created vision boards focused on identity and contribution. “Every role matters,” Abernathy shared. “No matter how you contribute, you are part of the team.” A highlight for many was attending an Auburn women’s basketball game, an especially meaningful moment for Coach Greenleaf, a member of Auburn’s 2008 SEC Championship team. “I want our girls to see what they can shoot for,” Greenleaf said. “The sky is the limit.”

That sense of possibility was not only modeled at the collegiate level but embodied within Mount Vernon’s own program. Throughout the weekend, younger players saw what leadership looks like up close through senior Varsity player Bella Champney, whose journey reflects the very pathway the trip was designed to highlight. The only athlete to progress through the entire Mount Vernon Girls Basketball pipeline, Bella, a first-year Varsity senior, has embraced leadership across all levels.

“Bella has been a cornerstone for this program,” Greenleaf said. “She leads Varsity, supports Middle School, and models what leadership looks like.”

Reflecting on her Basketball journey at Mount Vernon, Bella Champney, Varsity Senior, said, “When I was playing here in Middle School, I can remember being so excited that one day I would be on a Varsity basketball team. Only when I got to high school my dreams fell a little flat. There was no Varsity; there was barely a team, really. But when Coach Jay came, and more importantly stayed, the program actually started to take shape, and you can really see that through the Auburn trip. I got to see the entire program and just how healthy it’s become. When talking to the Middle School team, it was like looking into the past a little. I’m happy to see that those girls have the opportunity to play on a Varsity team when they get to high school.”

Middle school players felt the impact as well. Kathryn Hollingsworth, Co-Captain with Kennedy Miles for the Blue team, said, “Watching varsity and spending time together on the trip helped me understand what I can work toward. It made me excited about continuing with this program. Throughout the season, I felt like I really belonged, and that is what makes this program so special.”

Middle School White team Grade 6 Player, Autumn McCalman, described as the team’s “hype girl,” said, “At first I was nervous, but being part of this team helped me find my confidence. Everyone made me feel welcome. Basketball helped me come out of my shell and be myself.”

That confidence has carried back to campus, in classrooms and on the court. Coaches credit the strength of the program to intentional staffing and relationships.

“Girls have to feel good to play good,” Greenleaf said. “We wanted coaches who care about them as people, not just athletes.” Middle School White Coach Ashley Tabor echoed that focus. “Our girls are navigating confidence, pressure, and identity,” Tabor said. “We build them up so they can play freely.”

Looking ahead, the message is consistent and confident.

“We’re up next,” Greenleaf said. With a strong group of eighth graders moving up and a culture rooted in belonging and belief, Mount Vernon Girls Basketball is building something lasting, together, a future shaped in part by the leadership and foundation Bella Champney helped establish.

At Mount Vernon, the growth of Girls’ Basketball is not accidental. It is the result of intentional design, coaches who lead with care, and a culture where every athlete knows she belongs and matters. From Middle School to Varsity, the program is building more than skills and wins. It is building confidence, connection, and a shared belief in what is possible. As momentum continues to build and the next generation steps forward, the future of Mount Vernon Girls Basketball is not just something to anticipate. It is already taking shape, one relationship, one opportunity, and one team at a time.