TRENDING

 

The Central Illinois Xpress are the only all-girls basketball team in their league in Springfield, Illinois. They had an 8-1 record in the first half of their season and they color coordinate their socks and mouth guards. Basically, they’re in total girl power beast mode.

“I don’t think the other teams expected us to be as tough as we were, and fast and strong and aggresive” Kortnee, an 11-year-old forward, told the New York Times.

“We’d walk in, and all the boys would be like, 'We're are playing girls?’” said point guard Anne. "Then we’d beat them. Some of them cried.”

Most of the team has played together for over four years, and are best friends on and off the court. They have a dynamic a lot of the boy teams don’t have and don’t mind relying on each other, playing off each other’s strengths.

They’re known for reading their opponents, finding weaknesses, and being quick and resilient. Most importantly, they are constantly improving and thinking towards the next step.

Coach Tariq Toran use to coach a men’s team and decided to coach girls once he had enough of the “whining and complaining.” He realized these girls not only wanted to play but also wanted to learn.

“You can actually teach them basketball,” he told the New York Times.

Plus, these girls kick serious butt and aren’t afraid to say so. 

“They make such sloppy passes,” said Lily, one of the guards on the team, when asked about how the boys play.

Cue Fifth Harmony’s “BO$$.”

Photo credit: Daniel Acker for the NYT 

So what do you girlies think? Would you join the team and play against the boys? Share in the comments.   

by Kate Radin | 2/1/2016