It seems inconsequential in theory. A lead increasing from 16 to 19 with four minutes and 20 seconds remaining. A shot that, without proper context, seems to not have much impact on the game.
The game was already decided.
The Williams Bulldogs would improve to 14-8, and 6-5 in conference play. The Cedar Ridge Fighting Red Wolves would drop to 7-13 and 3-9 in conference play.
And yet, it meant so much to so many.
Jordan Page, a senior, who started her time as a manager during her freshman year, before she earned a spot on the team, seized the moment. Williams began the possession attacking the strong side, leaving Page wide open in the weak side corner. She caught the pass and with no hesitation, and sunk the corner three.
Her coach, Jason Cheek, exhilarated, filled the gym with his roar of excitement. Every player on the bench stood up in excitement, screaming and cheering. The shot meant so much to Page’s biggest basketball supporters.
“It didn’t hurt that it was right in front of our bench,” Cheek said with a smile.
Cheek took the time to commend Page’s hard work in earning more playing time this year. The joy that filled the arena was a beautiful symbol of what can come from hard work.
Jordyn Taylor, the Bulldogs top scorer in the 2024-25 season, showed out in her final regular season home game. She led her team with 17 points, showcasing her elite touch around the rim with a flurry of layups.
Taylor capped off her home career by making another layup with 6:36 left, bringing her to 17 points. Shortly after, she picked up her fourth foul, one more and she would be disqualified from the game. With the game not quite decided, the Bulldogs could not afford to lose Taylor, or the momentum swing that her fouling out would generate.
Cheek decided to ride with his star, leaving her in until the game was completely decided.
“She’s a smart player ... she’s been my most seasoned senior over the course of her career, she’s smart enough to know the situation,” Cheek said.
He acknowledged that he considered taking her out, worried that Taylor would foul out of her last game at home and not get the chance to have a curtain call type exit.
Taylor was able to avoid picking up that fifth foul, and she exited the game with fellow seniors, Page, Mi’keina Springfield, and Isabella Morris with less than three minutes remaining and the game decided. The crowd cheered as they walked off their home floor on senior night.
Amira Lunsford, the Bulldogs fifth and final senior, had already exited the game to a loud ovation. She added nine points in the win.
It was a night of celebration filled with joy as the Bulldogs cruised to a 48-32 final. Nothing exemplified that joy like when Jordan Page made her corner three. A shot that ended a career of hard work and determination.
“To see it pay off for ‘em ... that’s what you want as a coach,” Cheek said.“That’s what you want from your team is to be, ‘Hey, it ain’t about me it’s about our team.”’