By Bob Sutton
Special to The Alamance News
Former Southern Alamance girls’ basketball standout Shaylen Burnett said participation in sports led to special opportunities.
“Built a lot of confidence in me,” Burnett said, “. . . and in everyday life.”
Burnett, who went on to be a star on Elon women’s basketball teams and is a middle school coach in the Alamance-Burlington School System, was one of the panelists during a roundtable discussion last week during the ABSS-organized National Girls and Women in Sports celebration at the Southern Alamance auditorium.
Southern Alamance athletics director Stepanie Smith said it’s important for girls not to be afraid to try out for sports.
Southeast Alamance girls’ basketball coach Amy Sarratt said making sports a positive experience in the early years for girls can pay off, noting it’s not all about winning and losing.
Gwyneth Smith, a Williams graduate and assistant athletics director at Western Alamance, said more coaches and funding are needed for girls’ sports. She pointed to the difference in attendance numbers between boys’ and girls’ competitions, but noted how attendance rose when Western was on the way to winning a 2024-25 state championship in girls’ basketball.
Carol Oberhelman, a former University of Lynchburg softball player and ex-Averett College coach, said the rise of more college women’s sports, such as softball, on television and growth in volleyball have raised the profiles of female athletics.
“Now people expect women to be good in sports,” Oberhelman said.
Tameka Harvey, a member of the ABSS Board of Education and parent of Cummings students, said continued encouragement for girls in the schools is vital.
“We have to support them when they’re not always winning,” Harvey said.
As part of the third annual program, individual recognitions were given to ABSS coaches and support staff along with the following girls’ teams and students:
Teams: Broadview Middle School volleyball, Cummings indoor and outdoor track and field, Cummings cheerleading, Cummings basketball, Eastern Alamance dance, Williams golf, Western Alamance soccer, Woodlawn Middle School volleyball.
Eastern Alamance: Bayleigh Burris, Camila Rosa.
Graham: Lily Acosta, Madison Evans, Kara Killingsworth, Marley Torres Reyes.
Hawfields Middle School: MaKenzie Shaw, Hannah Greene, Marisa Meyer, Zoey Rodriguez.
Southeast Alamance: Clara LaChapelle, Chloe Torain, Abby Stadnicar.
Southern Middle School: Eva Vincent, Olivia Tickle, Reese Hunter, Ali Bason, Kaylee Bason.
Southern Alamance: Riley Bush, Brianna White, Gabby Canup, Callie Cross.
Turrentine Middle School: Isabella Stevenson, Camille Baugess, Khloe Lopez.
Western Middle School: Jasmarie Banda, Elliana Stiegel, Macy Sparks.
Western Alamance: Ashtyn Whitfield, Kensley Gasaway, Cana Kaffenberger, Michaela Bently.
Williams: Abigail Brown.
