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ISSUE NO. 7 • February 13, 2025 • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408
TJCA Lady Gryphons take on NYC; lost games, but gained team lessons Article Provided By: Jean Gordon. Photos Contributed.
other things. Most of her team had never flown nor had they been With a record of three games lost in a New York City to New York City. high school tournament doesn’t always have a positive Coach Jackson said it was a lot of responsibility to outcome, but for the girls high school basketball team take her entire team to NYC and there was a lot of from Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy (TJCA) it trust on behalf of families and team members. was a win/win situation. Team member Abigail Bridwell said, “It was a fun Playing one of the best teams in New York City experience but one thing it taught me was that you from the Nazareth Regional High School in Brooklyn, think you’re the best until you step into the ring with the TJCA team (ranked top in the 1A-2A Piedmont real competition and suddenly you realize there’s Conference) the Lady Gryphons lost all three games always someone hungrier.” against some of the top teams in New York. Angie Bridwell, mom to Abigail said, “I’m so proud However, TJCA Girls Basketball Coach Brittany of this team, not just the players. Team meaning Jackson, who came to TJCA in 2023, described the coaches, players, parents and everyone who donated trip as a “winning experience, although we lost all to help them get there. This trip put three games.” a whole new meaning to ‘It takes a Competing against teams from Village.’ I am so proud and honored to a city of 8 million people compared be a part of our TJ basketball team.” to Rutherford County’s 6800 people Another player, McClure Mayse was certainly a challenge from the said, “This was an experience I will beginning. always remember. Playing some of Coach Jackson along with the team the best teams in the state of NY and and families of the Lady Gryphons, some nationally recognized teams flew to New York City the weekend opened my eyes to the grit and talent of January 17 where they competed we are competing against. It definitely in the Super Jam. The team played encourages me to play to the best of three games during the weekend my abilities and give every effort on tournament against Exodus Prep, and off the court,” she said. Nazareth and Scanlan. All the games “I am so very thankful for this were played at Nazareth Regional, in Coach Jackson as a Detroit experience,” said Alyson Mayse, Brooklyn where Coach Jackson played Mercy player. (Detroit Mercy Photo) McClure’s mother. “These girls have a high school basketball. strong bond, they have excellent work “Taking the team to New York was a great experience ethic and they are determined. The teams in NY gave for them and they deserved it,” Jackson continued. us competition like we haven’t seen here at home but “Their attitude is truly amazing and we needed to go our coaches and our girls rose to the occasion and into this competition,” she said. “We were not as strong fought hard. This opportunity has definitely improved in New York and the (TJCA) team needed to learn how our game and our relationships. We are not just a to be more aggressive,” she said. team we are TJ family”, she said. The experience taught her team “we have to get A native of Brooklyn, Coach Jackson attended college better, get in the gym, work harder,” she said. at Detroit Mercy where she studied Communications “Taking this group was mentally and physically and Leadership and played basketball. She lives in tougher when playing against other teams,” she said. Charlotte and commutes to TJCA. While playing against some better players, Coach While playing the top teams in NYC, Jackson said Jackson said the Lady Gryphons discovered their it’s her job to continue to make her Lady Gryphons a weaknesses and will continue to work on those. better team. More than likely the January 2025 trip to The basketball team along with families raised NYC with her TJCA team won’t be the last. Most of her $10,000 to pay for plane fare to New York and family lives in Brooklyn. accommodations. Families paid the cost of food and
At the tournament with Coach Brittany Jackson (far right) the TJCA team surrounds Nazareth’s winners.
The TJCA Women’s Basketball team.
TJCA’s McClure Mayse and Kate Bukta chasing a competitor.
Sightseeing for the team included hanging out in Times Square.
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