“MVP! MVP! MVP!”
As RM’s senior star player and captain, Katie Diao, approached half court to accept her state finalist medal, shouts from the student section punctuated the support shown by the Rockets’ fans during the entire game. The Rockets lost to the Walt Whitman Vikings 51-40 on Mar. 18 at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in the 4A Maryland State Championship. However, those decked out in black and gold recognized that, despite a loss, the team concluded their season by exceeding expectations and cementing their legacy as the first RM girls’ basketball team to make it to the state finals since 1996.
The Vikings were dominant from the beginning, winning the tip-off and leading 17-5 by the end of the first quarter. Their stifling defense, including having two defenders on Katie Diao at all times, stopped the Rockets from starting any momentum.
The Rockets rallied, however, and muscled their way back to only a five-point deficit by the end of the first half, with a score of 23-28. They came out of halftime strong, with sophomore Gowri Chandrashekar draining a three-pointer from the corner to make the score 29-30, the closest margin of the night.
The rally slowed down, however, after a hard collision between Diao and teammate Ava Ruggeri on defense that left Diao shaken. Diao, who played nearly every minute of the game and led the Rockets in points, headed off the court with an apparent injury. During this time, the Vikings found their groove and increased their lead to 44-34.
In an impressive display of grittiness, Diao returned shortly after and even nailed a buzzer-beating three-pointer at the end of the third quarter, but there was no stopping the Vikings. They pulled away in the fourth quarter, eventually winning the game by eleven points.
While the loss was disappointing for Rocket players and fans alike, it doesn’t overshadow their accomplishments this season. To get to the state championship game, they won their region for the third year in a row, won their first state playoff game in over 20 years, and reached the championship game for the first time in 30 years.
Coach Michael Oakes, as well as the players, knew they had something special early in the season, after nearly overcoming an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter against Walter Johnson High School. “While we ended up losing, the game showed me that the team has a lot of heart, and it was a promising moment,” Diao said.
Their “heart” was a key part of their game and preparation. “Everyone on the team genuinely likes each other, and that shows through our play. We celebrate each other, and the positive culture helps us win games,” Diao said. Coach Oakes also attributed their success to one of their biggest strengths, continuous improvement. “That strength has helped us overcome challenges and become a close-knit team.”
The team’s success this season was not only momentous in the record books, but it also helped to shift the sports culture at RM. Junior Ava Ruggeri noted the typical lack of support and excitement surrounding girls’ basketball compared to boys’ basketball. “As for our double headers, when the boys play before and their game ends, we watch people leave before we barely touch the court for warmups,” Ruggeri said. The Rockets started to notice a difference when they made a deep playoff run. “In our recent games, we have had student sections which I have rarely ever seen at girls’ sports games; it’s truly incredible to see and brings such a good feeling to the team,” senior Hannah Klun said. Coach Oakes echoed the statements of his players. “Of course, when you advance to the state championship game, the recognition increases, and more people have become interested in our team. Honestly, it is long overdue. High school girls’ basketball is awesome!”
While the Rockets did not win the state championship, the legacy they will leave at RM will last just as long as any trophy. “I want the community to look back and see a group of athletes who were disciplined and connected. More than the three-peat, I hope they remember the rapport we had and the way we pushed each other to be better every single day,” Ruggeri said. Coach Oakes also wants his players to remember their impact. “I hope that players remember how they worked hard and sacrificed for a cause larger than themselves.”
