The final team meeting was a quiet one, tucked inside a side hallway by the Fowlerville High School gymnasium.
It was coaches and players from Pinckney’s girl’s basketball team hashing it out one last time. There were tears for the seniors because their Class 2 district 35-24 loss to Haslett marked the end of their careers at the school. There were cheers for senior guard Brielle Reason because her athletic career continues in track and field at Davenport College.
There were smiles also because the remaining Pirates know the best is yet to come. A 10-12 overall record isn’t much to brag about. However, it is with a program that has been void of recent success. The 10 wins is the most since 2016 when the Pirates carved out a 12-9 mark as members of the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West Division.
The 5-5 record in the South East Conference White division is their first non-losing conference record since finishing 8-4 in 2018.
It’s been a tough road being a Pinckney Pirate. However, with a slew of talent returning next season, including leading scorer and All Conference player Audrey Wardlow Pinckney seeks its first winning record since 2016.
“I am expecting a bright future,” said coach Tom Reason. “You heard what they said in there. There is love with this team. We love these girls. They are tight.”
Reason found pride even in defeat.
Haslett (16-7) ranked 12th among D-2 schools. In years past the Pirates might have lost with a running clock because they were so behind. On Monday they trailed by just five points entering the fourth quarter despite missing 13 free throws, being dominated on the boards and falling apart too often during Haslett’s half-court zone press.
The Pirates finished 1-10 in Reason’s first season. But there has been steady growth each year. The Pirates won six games the following season, eight in 2023 and now 10.
“I was very proud of them,” Reason said. “This was one of their best games of the season, especially on defense.”
Reason and his staff have done more than build a team. They are building a culture.
Next season key starters Savannah Shafer, Grace Halash and Wardlow will be seniors. They will welcome 6-foot sophomore shot blockers Mekenne Greene and Kayle Green to the varsity. Freshman Kenzie Ligrow has been groomed to take over point guard duties from older sister Alivia Ligrow.
“We will continue to get better,” Reason said. “That’s the plan.”