Warrior Freshmen Undefeated

They did it!

The Del Norte High freshman girls’ basketball team – aka the “Iron Warriors” – completed the perfect season Feb. 5 while handling Fortuna with ease (44-15).

Fielding the minimum five players, Del Norte took an early lead and was never challenged.

Throughout the season, the Warriors struggled to maintain full strength, playing most games with 6 players (rarely able provide a full bench of seven).

Late-season injuries seriously impacted play. Twice during the season the team was forced to resort to four-on-five play in the fourth quarter.

It was truly the stuff of legend.

“I still can’t believe it is over,” said Coach Michael Coats. “It’s going to be weird going back to a normal life.”

The Warriors made sure of the outcome against Fortuna from the start, giving fans the chance to begin the party early. Following the final buzzer, the team gathered for pictures and a celebration, an emotional conclusion to a season-long quest for perfection.

But for Coats, the hardest part came the day before, when the last practice was over. That’s when the wave of feelings and memories cascaded over him.

“I was very emotional,” Coats said. “I shut off the lights at the gym and bawled for 10 minutes.”

What will Coats take away from the season? First and foremost, the relationships created on and off the court, during practices and in games, during van rides to and from games.

But also, Coats will share in what this team earned.

“They have their story, that we had an undefeated season,” Coats said. “It’s a bond they get to share with their families for the rest of their lives.”