Sage Joyce ’27
As we reflect on the past season, the Hebron Girls’ hockey team is proud to see what we’ve accomplished in the transient winter season. Between 36 practices, 25 games, 11 wins, 13 losses, and 4 overtimes, we have laughed together, cried together, but most of all, grown together. Every single practice, everybody comes into the locker room with the willingness to get better. From the moment we step on the ice, we are pushing each other to the limits we know eachother have. The culture on and off the ice is something that this team has adapted to with no problem; a positive culture has been created by the most outstanding coaches, Courtney and Karen. They have taught us what it’s like to be a Hebron Hockey player and represent the school in every room we step into. The big “Hebron hockey” standing out on our sweat suits everywhere we go reminds us to be a good role model off the ice, while the front of the jersey reminds us who we are representing on the ice.
After COVID hit, the girls’ hockey team was no longer because of the lack of girls to support the program. In the fall of 2023, there started to be some change. Science teacher and Boys Varsity B coach, Jake Cockrell, helped create this change. Jake started to recruit hockey players like me, looking to go to the next level and play prep hockey, but what we both didn’t know was what was in store for us that upcoming season. After not having enough recruits, we had to work with what we had, and it was very little. The season was very rough for the players, and at the time, I did not see anything changing in the future, so I transferred. I transferred due to one reason: hockey. I felt that the Hebron hockey would not meet my standards in the rest of my 3 years of high school, and I couldn’t have been more wrong. After a lot of reflection and deciding what was best for my future, I chose to go back to Hebron. The hockey program was growing, and seemed more promising than before. This was the best decision I could have made at the time.
It was now my third year at Hebron, and the hockey team was looking very promising for the 2025-2026 season. After we gained two new coaches and a renovated locker room, everyone was ready to hit the ice as soon as November came around. Even though we had a lot of new girls who joined the team, the locker room atmosphere was amazing from day one. From dancing before 6 am practices to “wake us up”, to playing “Love”, by Kiesha Cole, right before a game to get us fired up and ready to go, the locker room has always felt like home. Being in a space with the same people every day might seem like it would get boring, but nothing was ever boring with our group of girls. This team has been so special to play with throughout the past 4 months, and I’m very excited to see what the future holds for the Hebron Girls Hockey program. Lastly, I would like to thank our coaches, Courtney Carnes and Karen MacDonald, for teaching us the ways of how to be a team player and what we need to know to grow and develop as players. We owe everything to you guys.