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With a record of three games lost in a New York City high school tournament doesn't always have a positive outcome, but for the girls high school basketball team from Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy (TJCA) it was a win/win situation.
Playing one of the best teams in New York City from the Nazareth Regional High School in Brooklyn, the TJCA team (ranked top in the 1A-2A Piedmont Conference) the Lady Gryphons lost all three games against some of the top teams in New York.
However, TJCA Girls Basketball Coach Brittany Jackson, who came to TJCA in 2023, described the trip as a "winning experience, although we lost all three games."
Competing against teams from a city of 8 million people compared to Rutherford County's 6800 people was certainly a challenge from the beginning.
Coach Jackson along with the team and families of the Lady Gryphons, flew to New York City the weekend of January 17 where they competed in the Super Jam. The team played three games during the weekend tournament against Exodus Prep, Nazareth and Scanlan. All the games were played at Nazareth Regional, in Brooklyn where Coach Jackson played high school basketball.
"Taking the team to New York was a great experience for them and they deserved it," Jackson continued.
"Their attitude is truly amazing and we needed to go into this competition," she said. "We were not as strong in New York and the (TJCA) team needed to learn how to be more aggressive," she said.
The experience taught her team "we have to get better, get in the gym, work harder," she said.
"Taking this group was mentally and physically tougher when playing against other teams," she said. While playing against some better players, Coach Jackson said the Lady Gryphons discovered their weaknesses and will continue to work on those.
The basketball team along with families raised $10,000 to pay for plane fare to New York and accommodations. Families paid the cost of food and other things.
Most of her team had never flown nor had they been to New York City.
Coach Jackson said it was a lot of responsibility to take her entire team to NYC and there was a lot of trust on behalf of families and team members.
Team member Abigail Bridwell said, "It was a fun experience but one thing it taught me was that you think you're the best until you step into the ring with real competition and suddenly you realize there's always someone hungrier."
Angie Bridwell, mom to Abigail said, "I'm so proud of this team, not just the players. Team meaning coaches, players, parents and everyone who donated to help them get there. This trip put a whole new meaning to 'It takes a Village.' I am so proud and honored to be a part of our TJ basketball team."
Another player, McClure Mayse said, "This was an experience I will always remember. Playing some of the best teams in the state of NY and some nationally recognized teams opened my eyes to the grit and talent we are competing against. It definitely encourages me to play to the best of my abilities and give every effort on and off the court," she said.
"I am so very thankful for this experience," said Alyson Mayse, McClure's mother. "These girls have a strong bond, they have excellent work ethic and they are determined. The teams in NY gave us competition like we haven't seen here at home but our coaches and our girls rose to the occasion and fought hard. This opportunity has definitely improved our game and our relationships. We are not just a team we are TJ family", she said.
A native of Brooklyn, Coach Jackson attended college at Detroit Mercy where she studied Communications and Leadership and played basketball. She lives in Charlotte and commutes to TJCA.
While playing the top teams in NYC, Jackson said it's her job to continue to make her Lady Gryphons a better team. More than likely the January 2025 trip to NYC with her TJCA team won't be the last. Most of her family lives in Brooklyn.
