The 2024-25 season was a standout year for the Civic Memorial High School girls' basketball team, led by first-year varsity head coach Jeff Durbin. The Eagles flew to a 26-7 record, earned a conference championship with a perfect 10-0 record, and showcased a deep, balanced, and unselfish roster that made it difficult for any opponent to keep up.
Team Effort Leads the Way
What made this team special was the collective effort. While no single player averaged more than 15 points, Avery Huddleston, Marlee Durbin, and Marley Ogden all contributed around 10 points per game, with Isabelle Edwards and Allie Truetzschler close behind at 6–8 points per game. This balance kept opponents guessing and allowed multiple players to step up on any given night.
Senior Gracie Miller, a dynamic sixth player, provided a spark off the bench and hit several clutch shots throughout the season, arguably one of the best "sixth players" in the area.
Season Highlights
The Eagles captured the Taylorville Thanksgiving Tournament title, placed 2nd in the Benton Christmas Classic, and went on to win a Regional Championship. The team was ranked in the Top 10 of the AP Class 3A Poll for much of the season and earned the #1 seed in their Sub-Sectional.
Signature wins included:
A hard-fought victory over Missouri powerhouse John Burroughs at the Blue Storm Showdown (MVP: Marlee Durbin)
A key win over Pleasant Plains at the Wood River Shootout (MVP: Avery Huddleston)
Turning Point
One of the defining moments of the season came during a tough stretch where the team battled fatigue and injuries. A pivotal win against Pleasant Plains—featuring an All-State caliber opponent—reignited the team’s confidence just in time for their postseason run.
Next Player Up Mentality
After the loss of senior center Meredith Brueckner to a season-ending ACL injury, sophomore Allie Truetzschler was called into the starting lineup and rose to the occasion. With each game, her confidence and aggression grew, and she became a key contributor down the stretch.
Senior Leadership Sets the Tone
Coach Durbin credited seniors Gracie Miller, Meredith Brueckner, and one unnamed senior for their unparalleled leadership, especially valuable in his first year as head coach. They established a strong culture of team-first mentality, effort, and respect—values that will shape the program for years to come.
Eyes on the Future
With four starters returning and a deep bench full of players ready to step into bigger roles, expectations are high for next season. Coach Durbin is optimistic that the team has the potential to be even better, so long as the players continue to buy in and work hard.
Offseason Focus
The focus moving forward is on improving team defense, rebounding, and developing an interior scoring presence. With strong shooters on the roster, there’s an emphasis on creating opportunities in transition and avoiding over-reliance on the three-point shot.
Stat Tracking
All team and individual stats can be found on STLtoday and MaxPreps.
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