Evergreen Park High School Girls Basketball Season Preview

A Strong Foundation in Year One Under new Head Coach George Shimko, Evergreen Park Girls Basketball turned a rocky start into a remarkable season. Starting 0–3 and sitting at 6–8 in December, the team rallied to finish the year 21–11, marking the program’s first 20-win season since 2017–18. “It took a little while for the team to buy into our culture,” said Coach Shimko. “But once they did, everything changed.” Leadership on and off the Court Senior Kyziah Lewis and standout player Tatum Harris emerged as the team's emotional and tactical leaders. Their willingness to be coached and set the tone for the squad played a vital role in both their development and the growth of their teammates. “Tatum and Kyziah allowed our staff to coach them throughout the season. Their leadership and skill elevated the entire team,” Coach Shimko noted. Turning Point Victory Sparks Momentum A defining moment came mid-season when the Mustangs overcame a 16-point third-quarter deficit against Westinghouse, rallying to win by four. That comeback marked a mental shift for the team and kicked off their late-season surge. Players Who Rose to the Challenge Beyond Harris and Lewis, Ella Throndson also stepped up into a bigger role as the season progressed, becoming a reliable contributor and reinforcing the team’s competitive edge. Overcoming Adversity and Building Culture Coach Shimko's first year was as much about laying groundwork as it was about wins. “We had three seniors, and while not all fully bought in, Kyziah truly embraced our culture. That made a big difference,” said Shimko. Even through early setbacks and cultural growing pains, the team showed resilience, learning to handle pressure, close games, and adversity with poise. A Bright Future Ahead The future looks promising at Evergreen Park. The development of the underclassmen, combined with a renewed focus on team-first mentality and competitiveness, has the program trending upward. Offseason Goals Coach Shimko’s offseason blueprint includes a strong focus on conditioning, fundamental skill development, and continuing to establish a solid, unified culture. The groundwork has been laid, and the next chapter looks even more exciting.