2025 Winter Season Recap: Granite High School Girls Basketball
For Granite High School’s Girls' Basketball team, the 2025 winter season was a story of resilience, youthful talent, and remarkable growth. Led by Head Coach Brody Shook, this year’s squad—composed entirely of underclassmen and without any seniors—demonstrated what can happen when skill, chemistry, and determination come together. Though they fell just one game short of advancing to the area round, the strides they made from last year to this season were undeniable.
“This was a good year for us,” Coach Shook reflected. “To go from a group of just six girls winning districts last year to nearly making it to the area with a full team of young players is a big improvement. We’re definitely moving in the right direction.”
Fresh Faces, Big Impact
What stood out most about this year’s Granite team was just how young—and effective—they were. At the heart of the roster were two standout freshmen, Cali Berry and Breckum Sanders, both of whom made immediate and meaningful impacts in their first year of varsity basketball.
Cali Berry, in particular, became the engine of the team’s offense. As a fearless guard, she excelled at slashing to the rim, finishing through contact, and consistently putting pressure on opposing defenses. “She carried us offensively,” said Coach Shook, “and she did it while being able to absorb fouls and still finish.”
Meanwhile, Breckum Sanders proved to be a versatile contributor off the bench. Whether scoring, rebounding, or defending, Sanders played with a maturity and skill set well beyond her age. “She did a very good job for us this year coming off the bench and being able to do it all,” Coach Shook added.
Sophomore Steadiness and Junior Leadership
The underclassmen talent didn’t stop at the freshman class. Sophomores Charlie Berry and Gwen Esparza were instrumental in controlling the pace of play throughout the season. Whether initiating fast breaks or executing set plays, both guards played with poise and helped dictate the tempo of games.
“They knew when to speed things up and when to slow things down,” said Coach Shook. “That kind of court awareness from sophomores is something you usually don’t get, but they delivered all season.”
In the paint, junior Kamri Kyle brought toughness and consistency. Not only did she dominate the inside game, but she also made regular trips to the free-throw line and converted at a high rate, making her one of the team’s most reliable scoring options. Coach Shook described her as a stabilizing presence: “She carried us on the inside and from the free throw line all year.”
Rising Confidence and Key Development
As the season progressed, several players grew more confident and took on larger roles. One notable example was Laramie Carothers, who transitioned from a more passive player into a real offensive threat. “She stepped up big for us this year,” Coach Shook said. “She started knocking down threes that she would’ve passed up last year. That kind of growth makes a huge difference in close games.”
This upward trajectory speaks to the team’s commitment not just to showing up, but to improving in tangible ways every time they hit the court.
Grit and Growth Without Senior Leadership
One of the most remarkable aspects of the 2025 Granite Girls team was their ability to thrive without a single senior on the roster. That meant no returning varsity veterans to lead the way or set the tone. Instead, the younger players took ownership of the program and did so with remarkable maturity.
“For a group with no senior vets, we did very well carrying ourselves through the season and playoffs,” said Coach Shook. “We may be young, but that’s never bothered us.”
This kind of resilience bodes well for the future. The team faced its fair share of adversity, from tough losses to the natural pressure of postseason play. But they never let those moments define them. Instead, they used each game as an opportunity to grow.
A Promising Path Forward
Looking ahead, Coach Shook is excited—and for good reason. All five starters are set to return, along with the full bench rotation. Add in two additional freshmen moving up to varsity next year, and the Granite girls are not just reloading—they’re stacking the deck.
“We had a very good young group of athletes this year,” said Shook. “I’m excited to see how we mature and develop through the offseason.”
That development will be crucial, especially as the team looks to turn this year’s near-miss into next year’s breakthrough. Experience, skill, and chemistry are already in place. Now it’s a matter of refining the finer details of their game.
Areas for Growth
Despite the successful season, Coach Shook knows there’s always room for improvement. The biggest area of focus heading into the offseason? Rebounding.
“Every team can improve on something,” he said. “For us, lacking any sort of height probably makes rebounding our biggest area of growth.”
While height isn’t something that can be coached, effort, positioning, and teamwork on the boards certainly can. With the right adjustments, the team could become even more formidable on both ends of the floor.
A Team on the Rise
There’s something special happening at Granite High School. The 2025 season was more than a solid campaign—it was a stepping stone. With a roster full of talented underclassmen, a coach who believes in development and character, and a culture rooted in resilience, this program is clearly headed in the right direction.
Though they missed out on advancing to the area round this time, that outcome hardly defines the season. What defines it is how much they grew, how they handled adversity, and how they laid a foundation for even greater achievements in the years to come.
Stay tuned—Granite Girls Basketball is just getting started.
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