Shouts of “N-D-S the best oh yes, N-D-S the best” from the cheerleaders at the far end of the gym compete to be heard with shouts from the Lincoln College Preparatory Academy cheerleaders: “hustle, hustle, hustle.” In the first half of the senior night game Tuesday, Feb. 6, a competitive spirit filled the gym, a consequence of the closeness in scores. In the second half of the game, Lincoln Prep pulled ahead, ending the game with a final score of 55-63.

“They had a really spectacular half of the game,” basketball coach Kate Pilgreen said, “and I think they understand that. The second half just turned its ugly head and got us.”

The team’s ability to play well is a work in progress, and they will take this game as a learning experience, according to Pilgreen.

“We’re constantly growing and learning good things,” Pilgreen said. “They always play really hard, and if you have that you can do some things.”

To honor the seniors, the team wore pink senior night T-shirts, each of the eight seniors had a poster displayed in the new grande salle, they each signed a senior night poster in the gym and their parents walked with them while Pilgreen read a short statement about each one. The scream team leaders came dressed to the theme “senior citizens,” and juniors on the team presented each senior with a gift.

“We gave them flowers and their favorite candy,” junior Gretta Allen said. “We decorated the locker room and the gym for them.”

Allen said that without the seniors next year, the rest of the team will need to step up because so many important players will be gone.

“You’re graduating six seniors who know how to play the game of basketball and know how to play it well,” Pilgreen said. “We’ll be missing talent and leadership.”

Many of the seniors have played on the varsity basketball team since freshman year and some of them played together before that in grade school.

“My favorite part about senior night was just getting to share a night with some of my closest friends from over these past four years,” senior Amaya Adams said.

It was exciting to meet the seniors their freshman year and to see them grow in confidence, skill, and ability throughout the years, according to Pilgreen. She said it will be a hard group of seniors to see graduate.

“There are so many different things and events that have happened that have just made me laugh to the core,” Pilgreen said. “So many things and events that we’ve shared together that have helped me grow, made me cry.”

The team will play St. Teresa’s Academy in the Irish cup game on Feb. 22., their last regular season game. After that, Districts start and the team hopes to keep playing into March, according to Pilgreen.

“This is going to be a hard group of seniors to let go,” Pilgreen said. “They love each other, they’re good leaders, and they’re just fun.”