A Double Repeat for the Quakers
For the second year in a row, the Sidwell Friends boys’ and girls’ basketball teams have brought home championship trophies in the District of Columbia State Athletic Association (DCSAA) AA Tournament.
In their final’s game on March 5, the girls' team started the night with a dominant performance against St. John's College High School, winning 68-49. Led by Jadyn Donovan '23 and Leah Harmon '24, the Quakers took control of the game early in the second half and never let up. Donovan, a Duke University commit, scored 20 points and grabbed ten rebounds, while Harmon had a game-high 21 points and two assists. Donovan was voted the game’s MVP. The Quakers’ suffocating defense kept St. Johns off balance much of the game and held the team to just 28 percent shooting from the field. The Quakers, with a 30-4 record, are ranked among the top teams in the nation again this year, following their national championship in 2022.
“It has been such an honor to coach and represent our community,” Coach Tamika Dudley said after the game. “Through hard work and perseverance, we accomplished our goal of winning a state championship. We are grateful for the continued support of the Sidwell Friends community.”
The boys' team, in a much-anticipated rematch of last year’s DCSAA championship game, defeated Jackson-Reed 62-47 in the second game of the evening. Cameron Gillus '23, a Lehigh University commit, who won MVP honors after the game, scored a team-high 20 points and dishing out six assists. “Getting back to the championship game and winning it means a lot,” Gillis said after the game. Knowing our difficult season with injuries and sickness, the team's resilience to keep fighting made this championship more fulfilling. I would not have done it with any other group of guys.” Caleb Williams, ‘24, also had a big game, finishing with 16 points and 11 rebounds. The Quakers (26-4) outscored Jackson-Reed 37-25 over the final two quarters. For the Quakers, it was the third state championship in four seasons.
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