Evergreen Park Girls Basketball 2025 Season Recap: A Culture Shift and a Comeback Year
The 2025 season marked a bold new chapter for the Evergreen Park High School Girls Varsity Basketball program. Under the leadership of first-year Head Coach George Shimko, the Mustangs didn’t just play basketball—they redefined what the program could be. From a rocky 0-3 start to an inspiring 21-11 finish, this season was about more than wins and losses. It was about buy-in, belief, and the foundation of a culture that promises to carry the team into a bright future.
A New Era Begins
When Coach Shimko stepped into the role at Evergreen Park, he knew that the journey wouldn’t be without its challenges. With a new system, fresh expectations, and a team getting to know its identity, the early going was tough. The Mustangs dropped their first three games and stood at 6-8 in December—a record that might discourage many teams.
But this team was different.
From that point forward, the Mustangs flipped the script, finishing the rest of the season with an incredible 15-3 run and securing the program’s first 20-win season (21-11 overall) since 2017-18. It was a turning point not only for the scoreboard, but for the program’s morale.
“Very good season,” Shimko said. “We started off 0-3 and were 6-8 by December. From that point on, we finished 15-3. That’s a huge credit to the girls and how they responded to the challenge.”
Leadership That Elevated the Whole Team
At the heart of this remarkable turnaround were Tatum Harris and Kyziah Lewis, the two pillars of the team’s success. According to Coach Shimko, these two athletes didn’t just show up to play—they showed up to lead.
“Tatum and Kyziah allowed our staff to coach them throughout the season,” Shimko shared. “Their leadership qualities, along with their skill sets, allowed their teammates to grow as well.”
Their growth was contagious. When leaders embrace coaching and commit to the vision, others follow—and that’s exactly what happened. By season’s end, a stronger, more cohesive team had taken shape around their example.
A Comeback to Remember
If there was a single moment that captured the grit and determination of the 2025 Mustangs, it was a game against Westinghouse. Trailing by 16 points in the third quarter, Evergreen Park could’ve easily folded. But instead, the team roared back for a dramatic 4-point win.
“Definitely a defining moment,” Shimko said. “It proved what we were capable of when we stuck together and trusted the process.”
That comeback was a spark—and it wasn’t just about one game. It symbolized what the whole season had been about: resilience, growth, and belief.
Rising Stars: New Roles, New Confidence
While Harris and Lewis shined throughout the year, they weren’t alone in stepping up. Ella Throndson emerged as another crucial piece of the puzzle as the season went on.
“Ella really developed and grew into a bigger role as the season progressed,” said Shimko. “Along with Tatum and Kyziah, she showed she could handle more responsibility and help push this team forward.”
With more underclassmen showing potential, the depth and versatility of the roster improved, giving Coach Shimko and his staff more options and flexibility throughout games.
The Challenge of Change—and the Power of Buy-In
One of the hidden stories of this season was the challenge of building a new culture. As a first-year head coach at Evergreen Park, Shimko emphasized values like commitment, effort, and accountability. Those changes aren’t always easy, especially for players who are nearing the end of their high school careers.
“We had three seniors, but only one—Kyziah Lewis—fully bought into our culture,” he explained. “The other two weren’t disruptive, they just didn’t connect with the vision the way Kyziah did.”
It’s a subtle but important truth in team dynamics: you need buy-in from your leaders to change the direction of a program. Fortunately, with Lewis on board, the team was able to anchor itself around a senior who embodied the values Shimko was trying to instill.
Laying the Groundwork for a Strong Future
While the 2025 season was a breakthrough in many ways, Coach Shimko is already looking ahead to how the team can continue to grow. What excites him most is the potential he sees in the underclassmen—young athletes who not only showed talent, but a willingness to be coached and compete hard.
“The growth of our underclassmen is huge,” he said. “We’re focused on building a competitive nature with the goal of always creating opportunities for your teammate.”
That sense of selflessness and competitiveness is central to the culture he envisions. It’s not just about the best player—it’s about the best version of the team.
Offseason Goals: Conditioning, Skills, and Culture
With momentum on their side, the Mustangs will head into the offseason with clear priorities: conditioning, skill development, and culture-building.
Coach Shimko emphasized the importance of physical preparation and improving the fundamentals, but also acknowledged that team culture can’t be overlooked.
“Conditioning, skill work, and continuing to build a solid team culture—that’s the focus,” he said.
It’s an all-encompassing approach designed not only to win more games, but to create a sustainable, high-character program that builds confident young women.
Final Thoughts: A Season to Remember
The 2025 season will be remembered as the beginning of something special at Evergreen Park. It was a season where a new head coach brought in a vision, two star players helped lead the charge, and a roster full of eager athletes began to understand what it means to play together, with purpose.
From a slow start to a strong finish, from quiet moments of coaching in practice to electric comeback wins, this team showed what’s possible when belief meets effort.
With a 21-11 record, new cultural standards, and a hungry core returning next year, the Mustangs have every reason to feel proud—and even more reason to be excited.
Want more info on the Evergreen Park Girls Basketball team or to check out stats from this season? Contact the Evergreen Park Athletic Department or reach out directly to Coach George Shimko.
 since 2017-18. It was a turning point not only for the scoreboard, but for the program’s morale.
“Very good season,” Shimko said. “We started off 0-3 and were 6-8 by December. From that point on, we finished 15-3. That’s a huge credit to the girls and how they responded to the challenge.”
Leadership That Elevated the Whole Team
At the heart of this remarkable turnaround were Tatum Harris and Kyziah Lewis, the two pillars of the team’s success. According to Coach Shimko, these two athletes didn’t just show up to play—they showed up to lead.
“Tatum and Kyziah allowed our staff to coach them throughout the season,” Shimko shared. “Their leadership qualities, along with their skill sets, allowed their teammates to grow as well.”
Their growth was contagious. When leaders embrace coaching and commit to the vision, others follow—and that’s exactly what happened. By season’s end, a stronger, more cohesive team had taken shape around their example.
A Comeback to Remember
If there was a single moment that captured the grit and determination of the 2025 Mustangs, it was a game against Westinghouse. Trailing by 16 points in the third quarter, Evergreen Park could’ve easily folded. But instead, the team roared back for a dramatic 4-point win.
“Definitely a defining moment,” Shimko said. “It proved what we were capable of when we stuck together and trusted the process.”
That comeback was a spark—and it wasn’t just about one game. It symbolized what the whole season had been about: resilience, growth, and belief.
Rising Stars: New Roles, New Confidence
While Harris and Lewis shined throughout the year, they weren’t alone in stepping up. Ella Throndson emerged as another crucial piece of the puzzle as the season went on.
“Ella really developed and grew into a bigger role as the season progressed,” said Shimko. “Along with Tatum and Kyziah, she showed she could handle more responsibility and help push this team forward.”
With more underclassmen showing potential, the depth and versatility of the roster improved, giving Coach Shimko and his staff more options and flexibility throughout games.
The Challenge of Change—and the Power of Buy-In
One of the hidden stories of this season was the challenge of building a new culture. As a first-year head coach at Evergreen Park, Shimko emphasized values like commitment, effort, and accountability. Those changes aren’t always easy, especially for players who are nearing the end of their high school careers.
“We had three seniors, but only one—Kyziah Lewis—fully bought into our culture,” he explained. “The other two weren’t disruptive, they just didn’t connect with the vision the way Kyziah did.”
It’s a subtle but important truth in team dynamics: you need buy-in from your leaders to change the direction of a program. Fortunately, with Lewis on board, the team was able to anchor itself around a senior who embodied the values Shimko was trying to instill.
Laying the Groundwork for a Strong Future
While the 2025 season was a breakthrough in many ways, Coach Shimko is already looking ahead to how the team can continue to grow. What excites him most is the potential he sees in the underclassmen—young athletes who not only showed talent, but a willingness to be coached and compete hard.
“The growth of our underclassmen is huge,” he said. “We’re focused on building a competitive nature with the goal of always creating opportunities for your teammate.”
That sense of selflessness and competitiveness is central to the culture he envisions. It’s not just about the best player—it’s about the best version of the team.
Offseason Goals: Conditioning, Skills, and Culture
With momentum on their side, the Mustangs will head into the offseason with clear priorities: conditioning, skill development, and culture-building.
Coach Shimko emphasized the importance of physical preparation and improving the fundamentals, but also acknowledged that team culture can’t be overlooked.
“Conditioning, skill work, and continuing to build a solid team culture—that’s the focus,” he said.
It’s an all-encompassing approach designed not only to win more games, but to create a sustainable, high-character program that builds confident young women.
Final Thoughts: A Season to Remember
The 2025 season will be remembered as the beginning of something special at Evergreen Park. It was a season where a new head coach brought in a vision, two star players helped lead the charge, and a roster full of eager athletes began to understand what it means to play together, with purpose.
From a slow start to a strong finish, from quiet moments of coaching in practice to electric comeback wins, this team showed what’s possible when belief meets effort.
With a 21-11 record, new cultural standards, and a hungry core returning next year, the Mustangs have every reason to feel proud—and even more reason to be excited.
Want more info on the Evergreen Park Girls Basketball team or to check out stats from this season? Contact the Evergreen Park Athletic Department or reach out directly to Coach George Shimko.)
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