Ayden-Grifton's historic senior class plays final home game Thursday
Ayden-Grifton’s six seniors are, from left, Alexia Bryant, Ivy Hood, Caroline Congleton, Mikayla Olijar, Emily Dykes and Aale’Yah Garris, and all have made strong contributions to the team’s third consecutive EC2A conference title. Photo by Junious Smith III / Neuse News
By Junious Smith III
AYDEN — It may have been business as usual for Ayden-Grifton, but it’s also the final regular-season home game for six.
The Chargers defeated Greene Central 25-8, 25-15, 25-16 Thursday on Senior Night, ensuring a happy finale for Alexia Bryant, Caroline Congleton, Emily Dykes, Aale’Yah Garris, Ivy Hood and Mikayla Olejar.
“This group of girls are just like my own daughters,” Ayden-Grifton coach Linda Bryant said. “They came in with my daughter and they’re an awesome group of young girls. I admire them a whole lot, they have their heads on straight (and) I’ll do anything in the world for them. They work hard for me, they listen and try their best. They have set a legacy for Ayden-Grifton.”
Alexia Bryant and Dykes are the two in the group to play on varsity all four years for Ayden-Grifton. Since 2016, the Chargers have compiled a 72-17 record as of Thursday, along with a 39-3 mark in the Eastern Carolina 2A Conference. Currently, Ayden-Grifton is the three-time EC2A champions and haven’t lost in a conference match since South Lenoir on Sept. 28, 2017 — a span of 28 games.
“We’ve gotten a lot stronger and our communication off the court is there,” Bryant said. “We all love each other, and on the court we know how to turn it on and go to work.”
Garris said it’s been wonderful being a part of the team’s success, especially after the Chargers hadn’t won a conference title since 1976 before the current streak.
“It feels great to be the ones who actually start this up,” Garris said.
Olejar said the team has gotten stronger as time has progressed.
“I feel like we’ve all grown individually and as a team,” Olejar said. “We have our ups and downs, but we know what to do when it’s time.”
Ayden-Grifton ends the regular season at Kinston Tuesday.
