{"id":9863,"date":"2025-01-31T20:07:20","date_gmt":"2025-01-31T20:07:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/midamerica.news\/wright-county-monitor\/?p=9863"},"modified":"2025-03-10T19:23:55","modified_gmt":"2025-03-10T19:23:55","slug":"no-varsity-no-problem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/midamerica.news\/wright-county-monitor\/2025\/01\/31\/no-varsity-no-problem\/","title":{"rendered":"No Varsity? No Problem"},"content":{"rendered":"

How CGD\u2019s JV Girls Basketball Team Found Growth in Adversity
\n<\/i><\/strong>by Amanda Rink, Editor<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

At the start of the 2024-25 season, the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows (CGD) School District faced an uncertain future for its girls\u2019 basketball program. With low participation numbers, school leaders made the difficult decision to forgo a girls\u2019 varsity team.<\/span>
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\n<\/span>Instead, they focused on skill-building at the Junior Varisty (JV) level. What began as a season of adjustment and turmoil for some turned into something much more meaningful, according to the players it was an opportunity for growth on and off the court.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The CGD District recently shared a video highlighting the team\u2019s journey. It offered the community an honest look at the dedication and friendships that have defined the JV season.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Small schools nationwide are facing declining sports participation, and CGD\u2019s focus on JV development reflects a growing effort to rebuild programs. Number 11, Ruby Poac, shoots and scores during practice. (Screenshot: Ethan James\/ Donovan Group)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Coach Nail, who was recently recognized by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association, described this season as one of the \u201cmost rewarding\u201d of his coaching career. With a roster made up mostly of freshmen, the team has embraced every challenge with determination.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is probably one of my most enjoyable groups that I\u2019ve had,\u201d Nail shared. \u201cThey come out to practice every day, their effort is there, and they\u2019re very, very coachable. Their personalities are phenomenal.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For the players, the season has been more than just improving their skills, it has strengthed their friendships and deepened their love for the game. But Taylor Johnson shared the most meaningful change occurred within the girls. \u201cI feel like our team has been more connected and individually, as people, we’ve gotten better,\u201d she shared.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not just the game, you know, it’s also just the relationships you make. If I wouldn’t have played the game of basketball, then I wouldn\u2019t have these girls,\u201d Ruby Poac said with a large smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the obstacles of playing without a varsity squad, the team\u2019s attitude has remained overwhelmingly positive. The nine girls who take the court each night have proven that their dedication and fun matter more than record books.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The CGD Girls’ JV Basketball Team sat down with The Donovan Group, CGD\u2019s Public Relations Firm, to share their experience on the court. Coach Ryan Nail is seen in this photo giving direction to the team. \u00a0 (Screenshot: Ethan James\/ Donovan Group)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cEven if we\u2019re down by five points, we never stop cheering each other on,\u201d says Audrey Egland.\u00a0 She says the girls are always supportive of each other, and that\u2019s what makes their team special.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m grateful I got to play this year and have a team because I really enjoy the sport of basketball,\u201d Brianna Reyes said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Across the country, small schools are increasingly struggling to maintain full varsity rosters for sports like basketball, wrestling, softball, and even cheerleading, with declining participation numbers becoming a trend in rural districts.<\/p>\n

The CGD program\u2019s decision to prioritize player development at the JV level reflects a growing movement to rebuild programs from the ground up across rural districts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Coach Nail hopes the community recognizes this season as a testament to the team\u2019s character. \u201cI hope people see this as a bright spot, nine girls going out and competing every night,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s not about wins and losses. It\u2019s about their growth, their effort, and the lessons they\u2019re learning that will stay with them beyond high school.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n