Civic Memorial Girls Basketball Soars in 2024–25 Under New Leadership
Coach Jeff Durbin’s First Year Ends with Conference Title, Regional Championship, and a 26-Win Campaign
In his debut season as varsity head coach, Jeff Durbin didn’t just steer the Civic Memorial High School (Bethalto) girls basketball team to a winning record — he led them to one of the most memorable and successful seasons in recent program history. With a perfect 10-0 run through conference play, a regional championship, and a 26-7 overall record, the 2024–25 season set a high bar for years to come.
What made this team stand out wasn’t just talent — it was balance, heart, and the kind of togetherness that’s hard to teach.
A True Team Effort: Balanced Scoring, Unselfish Play
Coach Durbin emphasized that the team’s success didn’t come from one dominant scorer, but from a balanced starting five and a deep bench ready to contribute at any moment.
“We didn’t have a player average 15+ points,” Durbin said, “but we had three players average around 10 points — Avery Huddleston, Marlee Durbin, and Marley Ogden — and two others around 6–8 points — Isabelle Edwards and Allie Truetzschler. That balance made it hard for teams to scout us.”
That unpredictable offense kept opponents guessing. If one player had an off night or was heavily guarded, someone else would step up. Senior Gracie Miller, the team’s “sixth man,” proved especially valuable, consistently hitting clutch shots and stretching defenses with her sharp shooting.
“She played the role very well,” said Durbin. “Gracie hit some HUGE shots for us this year.”
Championship Goals, Achieved and Surpassed
When the season tipped off, the goal was clear: win the conference. It was something Civic Memorial hadn’t done in a few years — but this group not only achieved it, they dominated, going undefeated at 10-0 in conference play.
Beyond that, the Eagles made a name for themselves across the state:
Ranked in the Top 10 of the AP Class 3A poll for much of the season.
Champions of the Taylorville Thanksgiving Tournament.
Runner-up at the Benton Christmas Classic.
Regional Champions.
#1 seed in their Sub-Sectional.
And let’s not forget marquee wins like beating Missouri defending state champion John Burroughs at the Blue Storm Showdown, with Marlee Durbin taking MVP honors, and a clutch performance against Pleasant Plains at the Wood River Shootout, led by MVP Avery Huddleston.
Defining Moments: Overcoming Adversity
Every great team faces adversity, and for Civic Memorial, that moment came in late December.
The Eagles were 14-0 and flying high when senior center Meredith Brueckner suffered a season-ending ACL injury — her second such injury. It was a crushing blow just before the championship game at the Benton Christmas Classic, where CM narrowly lost to #3-ranked Mt. Vernon.
“I was very concerned about how we would respond,” Durbin admitted. “Not only for the championship game but going forward.”
But the response was exactly what a coach hopes for. Sophomore Allie Truetzschler stepped into the starting lineup and grew stronger with every game.
“She got more comfortable and aggressive,” Durbin said. “She ended up having a great season.”
The team, as a whole, rallied behind their injured teammate, locked in defensively, and reignited their run, culminating in a regional title — a testament to their character and depth.
Senior Leadership: Small in Number, Big in Impact
With only three seniors, you might expect experience to be a concern. Instead, it became one of the team’s greatest strengths.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better group of seniors for my first year,” Durbin said. “The leadership they brought was unmatched.”
They instilled core values in the younger players — respect, selflessness, effort, and team-first mentality — setting a cultural standard that will ripple through the program for seasons to come.
“They showed the underclassmen what our program is all about,” Durbin emphasized.
Looking Ahead: The Future Is Bright
The 2025–26 season is already buzzing with potential. Civic Memorial returns four starters, including three of their top scorers, and will add several promising players ready for larger roles.
“We have a very good chance of being just as good — if not better — next season,” Durbin said, “as long as they continue to buy in and strive to get better.”
With that kind of experience and returning chemistry, the Eagles are poised to remain a force in Class 3A basketball.
Offseason Priorities: Grit Over Height
One of the team’s few challenges is size — they don’t have a true post presence. But what they lack in height, they more than make up for in grit and speed. This offseason, Durbin’s focus is clear:
Defensive Pressure: Expect more intense man-to-man pressure to compensate for size disadvantages.
Rebounding: A renewed emphasis on boxing out and limiting second-chance points.
Transition Offense: With multiple strong shooters, the goal is to push the pace and get clean looks before the defense sets up.
Inside Scoring: Durbin hopes to develop a more balanced offense by generating high-percentage shots inside the paint instead of relying on 25–30 three-point attempts per game.
Recognition and Honors
Civic Memorial’s standout season didn’t go unnoticed. Multiple players earned all-conference honors:
1st Team All-Conference: Avery Huddleston & Marlee Durbin
2nd Team All-Conference: Marley Ogden & Isabelle Edwards
Honorable Mention: Gracie Miller & Allie Truetzschler
That level of team-wide recognition speaks volumes about the program’s depth, unselfishness, and talent.
Where to Find More
For those wanting to dive into game-by-game stats or follow the Eagles more closely next season, stats are available on MaxPreps and STLToday.
A Culture Established, A Program on the Rise
In one season, Coach Jeff Durbin transformed Civic Memorial from a talented team into a championship-winning program. More than the wins, the Eagles showed grit through adversity, trust in one another, and a collective will to improve — all hallmarks of sustainable success.
As the team looks toward next year, with its core intact and new leaders ready to emerge, the message is clear: Civic Memorial is just getting started.
 girls basketball team to a winning record — he led them to one of the most memorable and successful seasons in recent program history. With a perfect 10-0 run through conference play, a regional championship, and a 26-7 overall record, the 2024–25 season set a high bar for years to come.
What made this team stand out wasn’t just talent — it was balance, heart, and the kind of togetherness that’s hard to teach.
A True Team Effort: Balanced Scoring, Unselfish Play
Coach Durbin emphasized that the team’s success didn’t come from one dominant scorer, but from a balanced starting five and a deep bench ready to contribute at any moment.
“We didn’t have a player average 15+ points,” Durbin said, “but we had three players average around 10 points — Avery Huddleston, Marlee Durbin, and Marley Ogden — and two others around 6–8 points — Isabelle Edwards and Allie Truetzschler. That balance made it hard for teams to scout us.”
That unpredictable offense kept opponents guessing. If one player had an off night or was heavily guarded, someone else would step up. Senior Gracie Miller, the team’s “sixth man,” proved especially valuable, consistently hitting clutch shots and stretching defenses with her sharp shooting.
“She played the role very well,” said Durbin. “Gracie hit some HUGE shots for us this year.”
Championship Goals, Achieved and Surpassed
When the season tipped off, the goal was clear: win the conference. It was something Civic Memorial hadn’t done in a few years — but this group not only achieved it, they dominated, going undefeated at 10-0 in conference play.
Beyond that, the Eagles made a name for themselves across the state:
Ranked in the Top 10 of the AP Class 3A poll for much of the season.
Champions of the Taylorville Thanksgiving Tournament.
Runner-up at the Benton Christmas Classic.
Regional Champions.
#1 seed in their Sub-Sectional.
And let’s not forget marquee wins like beating Missouri defending state champion John Burroughs at the Blue Storm Showdown, with Marlee Durbin taking MVP honors, and a clutch performance against Pleasant Plains at the Wood River Shootout, led by MVP Avery Huddleston.
Defining Moments: Overcoming Adversity
Every great team faces adversity, and for Civic Memorial, that moment came in late December.
The Eagles were 14-0 and flying high when senior center Meredith Brueckner suffered a season-ending ACL injury — her second such injury. It was a crushing blow just before the championship game at the Benton Christmas Classic, where CM narrowly lost to #3-ranked Mt. Vernon.
“I was very concerned about how we would respond,” Durbin admitted. “Not only for the championship game but going forward.”
But the response was exactly what a coach hopes for. Sophomore Allie Truetzschler stepped into the starting lineup and grew stronger with every game.
“She got more comfortable and aggressive,” Durbin said. “She ended up having a great season.”
The team, as a whole, rallied behind their injured teammate, locked in defensively, and reignited their run, culminating in a regional title — a testament to their character and depth.
Senior Leadership: Small in Number, Big in Impact
With only three seniors, you might expect experience to be a concern. Instead, it became one of the team’s greatest strengths.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better group of seniors for my first year,” Durbin said. “The leadership they brought was unmatched.”
They instilled core values in the younger players — respect, selflessness, effort, and team-first mentality — setting a cultural standard that will ripple through the program for seasons to come.
“They showed the underclassmen what our program is all about,” Durbin emphasized.
Looking Ahead: The Future Is Bright
The 2025–26 season is already buzzing with potential. Civic Memorial returns four starters, including three of their top scorers, and will add several promising players ready for larger roles.
“We have a very good chance of being just as good — if not better — next season,” Durbin said, “as long as they continue to buy in and strive to get better.”
With that kind of experience and returning chemistry, the Eagles are poised to remain a force in Class 3A basketball.
Offseason Priorities: Grit Over Height
One of the team’s few challenges is size — they don’t have a true post presence. But what they lack in height, they more than make up for in grit and speed. This offseason, Durbin’s focus is clear:
Defensive Pressure: Expect more intense man-to-man pressure to compensate for size disadvantages.
Rebounding: A renewed emphasis on boxing out and limiting second-chance points.
Transition Offense: With multiple strong shooters, the goal is to push the pace and get clean looks before the defense sets up.
Inside Scoring: Durbin hopes to develop a more balanced offense by generating high-percentage shots inside the paint instead of relying on 25–30 three-point attempts per game.
Recognition and Honors
Civic Memorial’s standout season didn’t go unnoticed. Multiple players earned all-conference honors:
1st Team All-Conference: Avery Huddleston & Marlee Durbin
2nd Team All-Conference: Marley Ogden & Isabelle Edwards
Honorable Mention: Gracie Miller & Allie Truetzschler
That level of team-wide recognition speaks volumes about the program’s depth, unselfishness, and talent.
Where to Find More
For those wanting to dive into game-by-game stats or follow the Eagles more closely next season, stats are available on MaxPreps and STLToday.
A Culture Established, A Program on the Rise
In one season, Coach Jeff Durbin transformed Civic Memorial from a talented team into a championship-winning program. More than the wins, the Eagles showed grit through adversity, trust in one another, and a collective will to improve — all hallmarks of sustainable success.
As the team looks toward next year, with its core intact and new leaders ready to emerge, the message is clear: Civic Memorial is just getting started.)
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