By Steve Frey
You don’t know what it’s like unless you have played on a high school or college basketball team. You haven’t experienced running wind sprints until you don’t think you can run another, but then the coach blows the whistle, and you do. You haven’t thrown free throws over and over, knowing that you might have to run laps for the misses. Full-court press practice, running the offense, practicing switching on defense—so many drills. You may not know about these things, but the Radford University Lady Highlanders do.
The women on the basketball team at Radford have been doing these things since participating on middle school teams, and now, they are in the NCAA tournament. They have reached the pinnacle of post-season play. In fact, they are Virginia’s team, as they are the only women’s team from the Commonwealth in the tournament.
They were even awarded a 14 seed in the East. Now, this may not seem like a great accomplishment to the unaware, but they’re not one of the eight teams at 15 or 16. No, they were ranked higher, and that indicates respect for their accomplishments this season. These women came in first in their league; won the Big South Championship; ended the season 26-6, and were 17-1 in the conference. They are currently enjoying an 18-game winning streak. If they could extend that streak to 24, they would be NCAA National Champions. But that won’t be easy.
They are playing an excellent Maryland team, and if they get past the Terrapins, they have to play either UCLA or Tennessee. If the Highlanders win again, next up will be, most likely, perennial championship contender Connecticut. Maryland, UCLA, Tennessee, Connecticut—and Radford.
The Radford Lady Highlanders have, indeed, reached the highest levels of competition.
Yes, these are big-name programs, and Radford is joining their ranks. It will be tough going, but don’t count these Highlanders out.
This championship is the “Big Dance,” and there are going to be several schools that are not expected to win but will. Cinderella always goes dancing during March Madness, and Radford could be a team with an extended dance card.
The Highlanders should keep in mind this piece of wisdom from legendary UCLA coach John Wooden: “We don’t have to be superstars or win championships…. All we have to do is learn to rise to every occasion, give our best effort, and make those around us better as we do it.” Wooden won 10 National Championships in 12 years before retiring. His teams had a winning streak of 88 games and four perfect 30–0 seasons. John Wooden knew something about basketball and winning championships, and his quote says it all about the importance of teamwork and dedication.
The greatest feature of the tournament is that anything can happen during any 40-minute contest. The Highlanders will be putting all those hard practices, tough games, playing through injuries, teamwork—everything—into those 40 minutes.
Of course, the Radford and NRV communities are saluting and cheering on our Highlanders. Last year, when the men’s team got into the tournament and won their first game, the area was all in then, too.
Not to get too far “into the weeds,” but this is the kind of thing that is really good for the area. Name recognition through the tournament brings in more and continually improving scholarship players. As the team develops, they play better and bigger name schools. Somewhere down the road, Radford could have the Connecticuts, Notre Dames, Tennessees, Louisvilles and other majors playing regularly at the Dedmon Center for non-conference games. They bring their fan base, stay at hotels, buy meals—well, you get the picture. The university is a significant economic engine in the community, and an outstanding sports team, program and brand are major dynamics in the economic growth equation for a region.
There’s more than just encouraging the Highlanders happening here. There are also the girls and boys who see the players that Coach Mike McGuire has brought together in Radford like Big South Tournament MVP and All-Tournament player Lydia Rivers, Big South All-Tournament player Destinee Walker, Sydney Nunley, Savannah Felgemacher, Khiana Johnson and the rest of the championship team. These players are role models for young people in the community and show what can be accomplished through hard work and dedication. They give children and young adults something to aspire to in their futures.
We don’t know what will happen in today’s game, but it will certainly be memorable for the student-athletes and the fans watching, and it will be exciting for everyone in the community to support our Radford Highlanders. We are proud of your accomplishments, and we are grateful that you represent our city and valley.
Finally, we wish you all the best in the tournament and in your continuing devotion to excellence. The Dance is a dream come true—one you’ve earned through your resolute commitment to the sport you love.
Go, Highlanders!
Steve Frey is a writer and CEO of Ascendant Educational Services based in Radford.