The 2025-2026 basketball season has come to an end, as winter sports are over for University Academy. The girls’ and boys’ teams both put in effort and determination for their squads. Throughout the battles that they fought, they made the Gryphons proud.
The Lady Gryphons’ basketball team was coached by Christian Jackson, who is a UA alum. He led the girls to a record of 12-11.
UA sophomore student Bria Chase-Rhodes said although the season started off rough, once the team was able to build a better bond, things improved. No matter if her team lost or won, she takes pride in them.
Athletes can choose from many highlights during the season. Chase-Rhodes said her highlight of the season was the Eagle Invitational at Summit Christian Academy. The Gryphons won the tournament championship for the fifth year in a row. Chase-Rhodes said she especially remembers that game because she made some “big time shots.”
Juniors Le Ataata Iatala and Layla Whitney made the all-tournament team, and Iatala was named the tournament MVP.
The girls took third place at the Crest Ridge High School tournament. In the same tournament, UA’s boys finished second.
The boys also did well at the Butler High School tournament, taking third place. Sophomore DeAnthony Hicks was named to the all-tournament team.
The boys’ team was coached by Anthony Rashid, who is the UA Lower School P.E. coach, and he led the Gryphons to a record of 16-9 in the regular season.
Hicks said, “I think we have done way better than last year. We have had better chemistry and a way better record of 16-9.”
Hicks said he believes this year’s team has played better and collaborated more than the previous year’s team.
One of the boys’ season highlights was the game against Ewing Marion Kauffman School. With a loud crowd and competitive environment, UA won 47-45. Hicks scored the game-winning basket at the buzzer, with all of the pressure put on him.
Last week during the district games at Lone Jack High School, the girls’ season ended with a 34-48 loss against Lone Jack.
Chase-Rhodes suffered a season-ending toe injury with a couple weeks left in the regular season, but the team fought on without her.
“I’m very proud of my team regardless of win or loss,” she said.
The boys’ team went to the district championship game for the first time in six years and won in very close game, a 47-41 win against Lafayette County High School.
In their sectional game against Windsor High School on Tuesday, they lost, 49-54. The Gryphons have come a long way this season and still were able to end strong with a close game.
With all of this in mind, it seems like the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams have progressed since last season. Now, the countdown to next season begins.
