Hoyas taking on Washington in 1st rd. of WBIT
GEORGETOWN (DC News Now) – It has been a historic season for the Georgetown women’s basketball team.
After making it to the Big East tournament final for the first time in program history, the Hoyas defied the odds with their “outside dogs only” mentality, nearly punching their ticket to the big dance.
However, their magical run would end in the Big East final as they fell to the UConn Huskies.
“It’s something this team has worked for so hard for the entire season,” said senior Kelsey Ransom, “and knowing that our coaches had faith in us from the beginning, it just feels great to know that success is expected from you and to follow through with that.”
The Hoyas’ head coach, Darnell Haney had no doubt his team would make it to the Big East Final.
“I told them., if we go to the championship game, we’re gonna dress up,” said Haney. “That Sunday before when the last Big East games were going on, I was at the mall, buying my suit. So I mean, it was kind of like I knew we were going to make a run. I’m so proud of them, I’m so proud of what they’ve accomplished.”
Despite the loss, the Hoyas were still celebrating when the game ended. Senior Graceann Bennett announced during the postgame press conference, that (at the time) interim head coach Darnell Haney would officially become the program’s next head coach.
“I mean, we had just experienced such a magical surreal moment in the locker room when our AD (athletic director) announced that he was going to become the next head coach, ” Bennett recounts. “He just doesn’t ever take enough credit for what he’s done for the team and I just wanted him to have that moment.”
Haney, appreciated the sentiment from the University and his team.
“I was just thankful for our staff and the work the players have put in, man I was just thankful for that and just thankful I was able to get the opportunity to be the coach at Georgetown. This is a big stuff.”
After the program’s former head coach Tasha Butts passed away before the season started, Haney took over and led the Hoyas to a 22-11 record and cultivated a new culture and team that battled in the Big East.
“A lot of programs talked about being a family,” said Haney. “Well, we live it and we do it every day, this culture in this program is going to be about love. We’re gonna work our butts off. We’re gonna be outside dogs, and we’re gonna be a family.”
However, their season did not end after the Big East tournament. The Hoyas are now headed to Seattle, Washington to compete in the Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournament.
Their first game in the tournament will be this Thursday, March 21st against the 16-14 Washington Huskies.
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