The Warren, Yorkwood and Alexis school districts consolidated before the 2004-2005 school year to become the United School District. Since that time the most games won in a single season by the girls basketball program was 20. That record was broken following a 51-46 non-conference win over Mercer County in Aledo on Saturday afternoon. At the time, the win gave United an overall record of (21-2). An amazingly competitive, tight-nit senior group has been the catalyst of the resurgence of the program in the last few years. As sophomores, they were joined by only one senior on the varsity roster. As juniors last year, there were no seniors on the roster at all. The current class of seniors won 9 games in 22-23, 16 games last season and are well on their way to a potential 25+ wins this season. Red Storm head coach Chris Olson is in his second season as varsity head coach at United but has spent the last several years in the program in some way, shape or form from varsity assistant to youth program coordination. He says he’s as proud as anyone to see this group break the single-season wins record and keep making history.
The Red Storm currently find themselves in a tie for 2nd place in the Lincoln Trail Conference standings, two games behind Abingdon-Avon with three games to go for each school. Though winning a regular season LTC title will be difficult at this point, the next goal on the list for Coach Olson and the Red Storm girls will be making the revamped LTC Tournament. The format has changed to the top-four teams at the end of the conference schedule moving on to a 4-team bracket, with the winner being crowned tournament champ. United is tied with Knoxville for 3rd place, a game ahead of Princeville in 5th. United holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over Princeville, as well. Next up for the Red Storm girls is a game at (3-5) in league-play Stark County on Wednesday night.
For the entire interview with Coach Olson, go to the SPORTS PODCAST section.
