Rockland girls basketball prepares banner for raising in front of entire student body
Published at
ROCKLAND — Banner-raising ceremonies are quickly becoming tradition for the Rockland girls basketball team.
The Bulldogs had not won a State Championship in program history before 2020. On Wednesday, they celebrated their third title in the past six years with the team signing a banner that will soon be hung from the school gym rafters.
During a ceremony that lasted just over 30 minutes, head coach Jordan Black spoke about the 2023-24 season, her first with the program. As she explained to a crowd that included the entire Rockland student body, that team’s victory in the 2024 consolation game set up this year’s title run.
And, as she recalled, Black told this year’s team, on the first day of practice, that she believed it could win it all this year.
“Our focus, as coaches, was to build off of what we did last year,” she said. “On day one of practice, and the girls can all attest to this, we were standing midcourt … and we were talking about the season — the goals, things we wanted to achieve this year. And I told them, ‘Girls, I fully intend on you taking State this year, I believe and I know you can. … All we’ve got to do is, go to state, grab that banner and bring it home.'”
Black spoke about the support the small town showed its team all season, as she did following Saturday’s Championship Game. Rockland’s cheering section was packed for all three tournament games — which may be hard to believe, considering the population of the town is just 242.
“We really couldn’t do it without all of you,” she said.
The coach also thanked the support that came from within the school.
She singled out the cheer team along with coach Emily Ward, as well as the band and director William Lower for all “the little things that made the biggest difference” — noting cheers, banners, send-offs and mood music for warmups and games.
Black then gave those in attendance a rundown of her team’s dominance at State, which included a 26-23 victory over Challis, a 38-32 comeback win against Carey and their 56-39 dominance over top-ranked Genesee.
She said that the team showed immense heart in its semifinal comeback victory over Carey. The following day, it showed even more in beating the Genesee Bulldogs by 17 in the finals.
“These girls played with more heart, fire and determination than we’d ever seen,” Black said.
She also sent praise at the Rockland JV squad, who, the coach said, pushed the varsity team every day. Without that, according to Black, the championship would not have been possible.
“This championship is just as much yours as it is anybody else’s, I hope you know that,” she said.
Because Rockland, like many 1A teams, plays with a split-squad, the JV girls were part of the traveling roster at State, receiving championships sweatshirts and putting their names on the banner that will hang in the Rockland gym forever.
Black then addressed the seniors — Calyn Permann, Alexa Permann and Sydnee Freeman.. She thanked them for their dedication, joy and performance — which netted each recognition in the 1A State All-Tournament selections.
“Girls, way to go out with a bang,” Black said, speaking to the trio of seniors. “We said that — leave everything on the court, empty the tank, and that’s exactly what they did.”
The trio then took the microphone themselves.
Calyn thanked the Rockland community and their families, for their “unwavering support.” She thanked the student section, the band and the cheerleaders.
“To our coaches and our team, thank you for making our last season the best one yet,” she said.
Alexa followed, noting the hard work and sacrifice the entire Rockland squad paid into its championship run.
“This is proof that no dream is too big,” she said. “If you believe in yourself and stay committed, and work as a team, anything is possible.”
Freeman finished, explaining that the trophy is not an award for individual success, but the outcome of working together toward one shared goal.
“It is a symbol of the teamwork and trust we built this season,” she said. “We lucked out being able to do it our senior year with this group of girls.”
Following their Championship Game victory, Black said she believes and expects her team to make a run at a repeat title next season. The Bulldogs will return several key contributors to this season’s champions, including starter Trin Wiese, who made several key plays during last week’s State Tournament.
EastIdahoNews.com comment boards are a place for open, honest, and civil communication between readers regarding the news of the day and issues facing our communities. We encourage commenters to stay on topic, use positive and constructive language, and be empathetic to the feelings of other commenters. THINK BEFORE YOU POST. Click here for more details on our commenting rules.