James Madison High School Girls Basketball 2025 Season Recap: A Year of Grit, Growth, and Rebuilding
The 2025 winter season marked a pivotal chapter for the James Madison High School Girls Basketball team, led by Head Coach Kirsten Stone. Coming off a year of significant roster turnover after graduating a strong senior class, this season was less about maintaining dominance and more about rebuilding, redefining, and rediscovering the team’s identity.
Through hard work, perseverance, and the emergence of new leaders, the team weathered the ups and downs of a transitional year. While not without challenges, the season was a clear testament to the program’s resilience
Stepping Into the Spotlight: Key Contributors
Despite being in a rebuilding year, several players stepped up and delivered standout performances that helped anchor the team throughout the season.
Leading the way was Ava Wu, a dynamic point guard who not only shouldered the scoring load—racking up over 300 points on the season—but also led the team in assists, proving herself as a true floor general. Her ability to control the tempo, distribute the ball, and finish plays made her the engine that kept the team running.
“Ava brought it every night,” Coach Stone said. “She made smart decisions, kept her composure, and found ways to lift her teammates with her play.”
Meanwhile, senior Sara Becker emerged as the emotional and vocal leader of the squad. Her leadership on and off the court helped establish a strong team culture during a season that required younger players to step up quickly.
“Sara really set the tone,” Coach Stone added. “She’s a leader in every sense of the word—focused, encouraging, and driven. She brought consistency and heart to every game.”
From Rebuilding to Resilience
By Coach Stone’s own admission, the 2025 season began with uncertainty. With a fresh roster following the graduation of several key players, the Mustangs had to rebuild their chemistry, develop new roles, and adjust to a different team identity.
“After graduating a lot of talent, we knew this year would be about growth,” said Stone. “We were focused on laying the groundwork for the future, while still competing at a high level.”
And grow they did. As the season progressed, the team’s cohesion improved, and several players emerged into expanded roles.
Players on the Rise: Growth in Real Time
Two names in particular stood out for their growth over the course of the season: Bella Lozier and Jada Ramos-Diggs.
Bella, who became a defensive stalwart for the Mustangs, put in the extra work to improve her outside shooting and overall confidence on the floor.
“Bella really committed to getting better,” Coach Stone noted. “She became one of our toughest defenders and wasn’t afraid to take the big shots.”
Jada Ramos-Diggs, meanwhile, evolved into the team’s second-leading scorer, known for her aggressive drives to the hoop and her ability to lock down the opponent’s top perimeter players.
“Jada has a motor that doesn’t quit,” said Stone. “She’s fearless when attacking the basket and takes pride in her defense. She was a spark plug for us all season long.”
Handling Adversity: The True Test of Character
As with any rebuilding year, the Mustangs faced their fair share of adversity, whether through close losses, tough matchups, or growing pains in pressure-filled moments. Yet, the team never wavered in its commitment to improving every day.
“We had our tough moments,” Coach Stone admitted. “But the girls always pushed through. They came to practice ready to work and wanted to be better than they were the day before.”
That mentality helped the team stay competitive and build confidence, even when things didn’t always go their way. And more importantly, it laid a foundation of toughness and accountability that will serve the program well in future seasons.
A Senior Class That Left Its Mark
While this year’s senior class may not have captured a championship, their impact went far beyond the win-loss column. According to Coach Stone, their legacy will be defined by their relentless work ethic and dedication to making their teammates better.
“Our seniors pushed the entire team,” she said. They led by example in how they practiced, how they communicated, and how they carried themselves. They were instrumental in helping set the culture for our younger players.”
That leadership helped ease the transition for the program and will be felt long after the seniors have played their final game.
Looking Ahead: A Promising Future
With a new core beginning to take shape, the future is bright for the Madison Mustangs. Coach Stone is particularly excited about the returning group of players, many of whom played significant minutes this season and showed flashes of brilliance.
“We’ve got a lot to be excited about,” she said. “The players returning have already been through the fire. Now it’s about growing their leadership and continuing to build our team identity.”
Coach Stone emphasized that the offseason will be crucial to developing consistency, especially on the offensive side of the ball. The goal is to improve offensive flow, enhance players’ ability to read defenses, and continue building chemistry as a unit.
“Offensive cohesion is key for us,” she noted. “When you have a new team, you have to work extra hard to learn how to move without the ball, communicate, and anticipate what your teammates are going to do.”
In addition to team strategy, the offseason will also focus on individual skill development, with a strong emphasis on shooting efficiency, defensive positioning, and fitness.
A Season of Building Blocks
The 2025 season wasn’t about record-breaking wins or championship banners—it was about laying the foundation for long-term success. Under Coach Stone’s guidance, the Mustangs showed that grit, development, and leadership can carry a team through growing pains and come out stronger on the other side.
Players like Ava Wu and Jada Ramos-Diggs will be back, seasoned and motivated. Rising stars like Bella Lozier have already proven their ability to grow in real time. And with a new crop of freshmen on the horizon, the Mustangs are poised to continue their upward climb.
“This team has heart,” Coach Stone concluded. “And as long as we keep working together, the wins will come. I’m proud of what we accomplished and even more excited about what’s next.”
Stay tuned for offseason updates and player development milestones, and follow the James Madison High School Mustangs through next season’s journey toward excellence.
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