Everett Meredith Middle School girls basketball poses with the championship trophy after going a perfect 14-0, photo courtesy of Shola Cooke
MIDDLETOWN — As the high school basketball season is winding down, one program in Delaware has gone unbeaten for three years in a row.
The Everett Meredith Middle School girls basketball program just completed its season with a record of 14-0. The team has not lost a game since the district approved middle school sports in 2020.
Head coach Shola Cooke has led the program to a 29-0 record over the last three years with the culmination of their third consecutive district title.
This year the Crusaders scored 469 points in 14 games, while allowing just 227.
Cooke has gone with a starting five consisting of all guards: Taylor Tucker, Kallea Eleazar, Sophia Ramos, Giada Ramos, and Harmuni’e Patterson. The first two players off the bench have been Camille Phillips and Ava Bostick. The remainder of the roster includes Kara Diffendall, Mira Salaria, Brynlee Kelly, Alanna Small, Iyahnna Rhoades and Emily Hunter.
Cooke began his training under Robby Johnson and Amber Hickman at the Newark Boys and Girls Club in Newark. His first coaching position was at Christiana High as he guided the varsity program from 2017-2020.
He’s been at the helm for the Crusaders since they started playing in the 2021-22 season and said he’s very pleased to see former players at the next level.
“There are four players that are now on high school teams in the Appoquinimink District. Sanai Jackson is a freshman on the Appo Jags roster, while Alexandra Branner, Kylie Fitch and Tatiana Padilla-Henderson all played for Middletown’s junior varsity.”
The future of the Everett Meredith p[rogram looks bright as they return nine players, including two starters for the 2024-25 campaign.
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