FAET Girls Basketball Excelling Both On and Off the Court

Last season was a difficult one for the Friendship Academy of Engineering and Technology's (FAET) girls basketball program.

The Grizzlies were inexperienced, lacked confidence, leadership as well as passion for the game. The end result was a disappointing four win campaign for the Baltimore City School.

It's been a completely different story for FAET this season. Using last season's struggles for motivation, the Grizzlies have amassed a record of 9-1 this campaign. The team is currently on an eight game winning streak, and are 7-0 in their division.

"This year the team has a whole different outlook on things, they are very passionate and hungry," Grizzlies head coach Dante Harrison said. "Their work ethic is incredible."

Harrison cites the team's senior leadership as the key to the team's turnaround. Two returning seniors, Breshawn Webb and Candice Edwards, have done their best to make sure the team doesn't repeat their mistakes from last season, while two new seniors, Taylor Leggett and Erica Forman, have brought a new energy to the program.

All four seniors bring something to the table for the Grizzlies. Leggett is the team's leading scorer, while Webb is an excellent shooting guard. Foreman is the team's general on the court and Edwards is FAET's defensive specialist.

The team isn't completely reliant on its older players though. FAET has two underclassmen who have made a big impact this season in freshman Autumn McIntosh and sophomore Dearrah Ford. Both are key interior players for the Grizzlies, being the team's top two rebounders and shot blockers.

"We are looking forward to building off them for next year," Harrison said.

The team's defense has also been a strength this season. In eight of the Grizzlies' games this season, their opponents have been unable to score at least 40 points.

"We play in your face, nonstop pressure defense, and have a very well balanced inside and outside attack defensively," Harrison said. "We are also sharing the ball well on offense and rebound the ball well on both ends of the court."

When he looks back at the progress his team has made this season, Harrison points to the team's lone loss to Lake Clifton as the one which is most vital to the team's overall success. Harrison says the group became much more of a team after losing the very physical encounter with the Lakers.

Looking ahead, Harrison hopes his team will continue to grow as the postseason gets closer. While Harrison has high hopes for where the Grizzlies' season can end on the court, he's still very excited with how much the team has grown this year.

"Our goals are to finish the season strong, try to win our division, and give it our all in the states," Harrison said. "No matter what happens, I am very proud of this team for its hard work both on and off the court."