2025 Winter Season Recap: A.L. Brown Women’s Basketball — A Season of Growth, Grit, and Gritty Beginnings
The 2025 season for the A.L. Brown High School women’s basketball team may not have been filled with championships or headlines, but it was a year marked by resilience, growth, and laying the foundation for a bright future. Under the leadership of Head Coach Kayla Crayton, a young and largely inexperienced squad battled through adversity, learned hard lessons, and made big strides together, both on and off the court.
With just one returning varsity player coming into the season, Coach Crayton knew the road would be challenging. But in the midst of those challenges, she also saw something special begin to take shape: a team learning to fight together, believe in themselves, and take the first steps toward becoming a cohesive, competitive unit.
A Season of Rebuilding
“This year, we were extremely young,” Coach Crayton explained. “We only had one returning varsity player, Makenzie Goode-Roberts.”
Makenzie, a cornerstone of the team, began the season leading in points, assists, and steals. Her impact on both ends of the court was unmatched, but just a few games in, she suffered a heartbreaking ACL tear that ended her season. Her absence left a gaping hole in the lineup, but it also forced the rest of the team to mature quickly and take on larger roles.
It didn’t take long for other players to rise to the occasion. London Gray, in particular, answered the call by becoming the team’s leading scorer. With composure and consistency, she helped stabilize the offense in the wake of Makenzie’s injury.
On the defensive end, Alana Campbell shone. “She led us in steals,” said Coach Crayton, highlighting Alana’s aggressive defensive play and hustle, which often turned into critical momentum-shifting plays during games.
A Key Addition
Midseason, a pivotal addition helped turn the tide in more ways than one. Myla McNeely, a dynamic player known for her quickness and relentless energy, joined the team and made an immediate impact.
“She’s one of the quickest players we have and someone that gives it everything she has, consistently,” Coach Crayton shared. Myla brought a new edge on both sides of the ball and quickly became a spark for the team. Her presence marked a subtle turning point and brought new intensity to the team’s efforts.
Developing Talent and Rising Stars
The season was also a platform for growth, and several players stepped into the spotlight as the weeks progressed. Michaela Buster, Alauna Massey, Maddie Cook, and Sybella Honeycutt all showed remarkable development. Each of them embraced bigger responsibilities and adapted to the demands of varsity basketball.
“This was a season where we were thrown into the fire,” Coach Crayton noted. “And while the results didn’t always show in the win column, these girls gave it their all every single game.”
With most of the team being underclassmen, the experience they gained this year is invaluable. From learning defensive rotations to improving ball movement, every game was an opportunity to build chemistry and basketball IQ.
Learning Through Adversity
Coach Crayton didn’t shy away from acknowledging the tough moments. Injuries, inexperience, and the pressure of competing in a tough conference were constant hurdles.
“There were definitely ups and downs,” she said. “But what mattered most was how the girls kept showing up. They never stopped playing hard, and they never stopped supporting one another.”
While she didn’t elaborate in detail, it’s clear the team’s response to adversity reflected their mental toughness and team-first mindset. The injury to their only veteran player could have easily derailed the season entirely, but instead, it became a rallying point for growth.
Looking to the Future
Despite the tough breaks this year, Coach Crayton is enthusiastic about what lies ahead. With all but one player returning next season, the team will enter the offseason not as a rebuilding squad, but as a core ready to level up.
“What excites me most is that these girls are already putting in work during the offseason,” she said. “That was the missing piece this year—just needing more reps and more time together. They need to be playing as much as possible.”
The team has already begun offseason workouts, including summer league participation and open gym sessions. It’s a commitment to consistent improvement that Coach Crayton believes will pay big dividends next season.
Points of Emphasis for the Offseason
When asked about what the team will be focusing on over the offseason, Coach Crayton kept it simple but essential: “Ball-handling and defense.”
Sharpening ball-handling skills will empower the team to run more versatile offensive sets and handle pressure more effectively. Honing in on team defense will give them the ability to control games with their intensity, something Coach Crayton believes can become a hallmark of the A.L. Brown program moving forward.
If the team’s effort and commitment this past season are any indication, they are already headed in the right direction.
A Foundation Worth Building On
Though the scoreboard didn’t always reflect it, this season was an overwhelming success in terms of building character, chemistry, and culture. With several key players returning, a full offseason ahead, and the invaluable lessons learned from playing through adversity, the A.L. Brown women’s basketball program is poised to take the next step.
Coach Crayton’s vision is clear: a team that competes hard, plays together, and grows together. She’s not just coaching for wins—she’s developing young athletes into resilient, confident leaders on and off the court.
And with Makenzie expected to return next year from injury, joining forces with a battle-tested group that’s matured through trials, the team could become a real force in their conference.
“We’re young, but we’re hungry,” Crayton said.
And sometimes, that’s the most dangerous kind of team.
Team stats can be found on MaxPreps.
Share With