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The Valley girls basketball team fell to Briarwood, 57-45, to end their 2024-2025 season. The sub-regional game served as a knock stage ahead of the state tournament. The Rams have gone back-to-back as area championships under head coach Eberne Myrthil. 

We got a lot of core sophomores and freshmen, and I think with that core, with the passion these girls play with, with the heart they play with, we’ll be back,” Myrthil said. 

The first quarter started slow. Both sides had chances, but the ball seemed unwilling to go in. Valley didn’t get on the board until about three minutes in when Marasha Tucker shot a jumper. 

It wasn’t until Kaden Dooley drew a foul in the final minutes of the quarter that the crowd and team locked in. A couple of quick steals turned the tide, seeing Valley go into the second quarter up 13-11. 

Briarwood came back swinging. The lions found an answer to the Ram’s press with quick passing. But, Valley’s offense kept it close, trailing 25-23 at halftime. 

The Lions roared in the top of the third quarter, quickly jumping out to a double-digit lead. It was an aggressive period with Valley’s offense trying to force its way inside the paint. Dooley took a foul at the buzzer to bring the score within four points going into the final quarter. 

Unfortunately for the Rams, Briarwood was able to move the ball around well and found Kerley and Crawford for easy lay-ups. The final score was 57-45. 

Valley had trouble containing Briarwood’s dynamic duo Emma Kerley and Clara Crawford, who cut their way to the basket frequently and effectively. They put up 20 and 21, respectively. 

Myrthil said a lot of the young players stepped up this season, including freshmen Kyla Williams and Jamiah Johnson. In the final game, he commended Dooley and Tucker for their impact. 

Dooley lead the Rams with 22 points on the night. Tucker also broke double digits with 12 points. 

“The skies and limits for this team, I’m honored to be their coach…I got some great assistant coaches with Coach Brooks Williams and Coach Leon Simpson, they make me look good,” Myrthil said.