Resilient and Rising: Hazelwood Central Girls’ Basketball Ends 2025 Season Strong Under Coach Holloway’s Leadership
For the Hazelwood Central Girls’ Basketball team, the 2025 winter season was more than just a campaign of wins and losses—it was a story of growth, resilience, and rising to meet every challenge. Under the guidance of Head Coach Will Holloway, the team battled through adversity and emerged stronger, setting the stage for a promising future built on hard work, accountability, and a passion for the game.
A Balanced Team with a Standout Leader
Every successful season features players who rise above expectations and inspire their teammates by leading on and off the court. For Hazelwood Central, Camirah Foster was that athlete. She didn’t just lead the team—she carried it statistically and emotionally.
“Camirah led us in scoring, rebounding, assists, and steals this season,” said Coach Holloway. “However, all of our girls played key roles that impacted our success. They understood the assignment and worked extremely hard to complete it.”
Camirah’s dominance was complemented by a balanced group effort, where every player contributed to a larger goal. This team-oriented mindset created a culture of unity and accountability that proved essential when facing tough moments.
A Season Marked by Adversity—and Determination
The journey through the 2025 season wasn’t without bumps. Midway through the campaign, the team lost multiple starters—a challenge that might derail a less cohesive group. But Hazelwood Central proved their character through how they responded.
“Our season went well, despite all of the adversity that we dealt with,” Coach Holloway explained. “We had girls step up to fill those spots. They responded well to the adversity we faced over the course of the season. They never got down on themselves or their teammates and always fought the good fight.”
That fighting spirit became the team’s identity. Whether dealing with injuries, tough losses, or pressure-packed matchups, the girls kept pushing forward. The ability to stay positive and support one another created a resilient culture that won’t soon be forgotten.
The Silent Growth of Unsung Heroes
While much of the spotlight landed on Camirah Foster, Hazelwood Central saw incredible development across its entire roster, particularly in the post. Going into the season, post play was a known weakness, but the response from the team’s frontcourt was inspiring.
“Our post players grew the most,” Coach Holloway noted. “They worked their butts off and improved tremendously throughout the season.”
That kind of improvement doesn’t happen by chance. It’s a testament to the work ethic instilled in the program—hours in the gym, watching film, and taking coaching with humility. It also speaks to the supportive environment that allowed players to evolve into bigger roles as the season unfolded.
The Soul of the Team: A Senior’s Lasting Legacy
While Hazelwood Central only had one senior on the roster, her impact was anything but small. According to Coach Holloway, she embodied the definition of a team leader.
“She was like the team mom,” he said. She led by example, and her work ethic was contagious. She was one of the starters we lost mid-season, but she went from being a contributor on the court to a major component on our bench. She became an extension of our coaching staff.”
Her leadership became a guiding light during the team’s most difficult moments, and her influence will carry forward in the younger players who watched her set the tone every day.
A Program Reborn: A Vision Three Years in the Making
When Coach Holloway took over Hazelwood Central’s program three years ago, he was met with a challenge: rebuild a struggling team and instill a culture of excellence and commitment. What he found at tryouts that first year was a spark of hope.
“We had 27 freshmen show up,” he recalled. “Eight of those girls are still in the program, and they all played a role in the success we’ve had during my time here.”
That core group has grown up together, weathering growing pains, building chemistry, and forming a foundation of pride and purpose. Now entering their senior year, these young women represent not just returning players, but the heart and soul of a resurgence.
“The hard work and dedication these young ladies have put in has helped breathe life into a program that was struggling when we first arrived,” Holloway said proudly. “I can’t wait to see what their senior season will look like.”
Looking Forward: Strengths, Skills, and Smarts
Coach Holloway is already focused on how to elevate the program even further in the offseason. His three main areas of emphasis for improvement are clear: strength and conditioning, position-specific skills, and basketball IQ.
Those goals go beyond athleticism—they speak to a mindset of continuous improvement. By developing smarter, stronger, and more skilled players, Hazelwood Central is not just preparing to compete—they’re preparing to dominate.
Investing in these areas will be vital if the team wants to take the next step and become a championship contender in the seasons to come.
A Culture That’s Bigger Than Basketball
Beyond wins and stats, what makes this team special is its culture. It’s a culture where players pick each other up, where adversity is met with resolve, and where no role is too small. Coach Holloway has cultivated more than a roster—he’s built a family.
That’s evident in how the players speak about each other, how they respond to challenges, and how they embrace the process. It's reflected in the work ethic of a single senior who transformed from a starter into a sideline leader. It's embodied by the post players who turned a weakness into a strength. And it's led by a coach who saw potential when others saw a rebuild.
The Final Word
Hazelwood Central Girls’ Basketball closed out the 2025 season not just with a solid record but with pride, progress, and the promise of something greater on the horizon. With leaders like Camirah Foster returning, a core group of battle-tested veterans entering their senior year, and a coach with a clear vision for growth, the Hawks are poised for takeoff.
For those who’ve followed their journey, the message is simple: Hazelwood Central is back, and they’re just getting started.
For stats and additional coverage, visit stltoday.com.
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