INDIANAPOLIS — Lawrence Central girls basketball has been waiting years for a season like this.
Actually, decades.
The Lady Bears are having their best season ever and have revived a long-dormant program.
Something has changed.
"Just the culture," junior guard Laila Abdurraqib said. "We have a really good culture this year and again, like I said, we all want to win. We all want to make it to the state championship."
For decades, a state championship for LC girls basketball seemed far-fetched. They had just one sectional title in the program's history but never advanced further.
It's a program that was often overlooked. Then, coach Jannon Lampley took over, bringing a vision of success.
"We talked a lot preseason about mindset and what it takes, and I think commitment as well, and vision," said Lampley. "I think that, as adults, we sometimes have to have vision for our kids and dream for them until they can dream on their own."
And dream they have. The Lady Bears (22-1) have won 17 straight games and are regarded as the best team in the state of Indiana.
This team is special, and they have a chance to do something this program has never done.
Lampley knows a thing or two about the game. She played at Purdue and went on to play in the WNBA.
Keep an eye on this Lawrence Central team as they aspire to heights this program has never seen before.
The Lady Bears host Avon Thursday, Jan. 25 in the regular season finale before taking on Crispus Attucks next Wednesday in the state sectional tournament.