Bemis Girls Basketball Celebrates Undefeated Season

March Madness came early to Bemis Junior High this week, with the seventh-grade girls’ basketball team finishing its season undefeated Monday night.   

The team’s 12th consecutive win came over Jeanette Junior High, 41-21.

“They were really excited, thrilled and really happy to finally get that undefeated season,” said Coach Jeff Kraft, a Macomb Township resident. “There was a lot of cheering and celebrating. They were nervous during the game, but it turned in our favor.”

Kraft, who has coached at Bemis for more than a decade, credited his team’s talent, hard work and energy for delivering this perfect season.  

“We’re a really athletic team and we have a lot of depth,” Kraft said. “They’re still raw, but we have some talented players on the team and you can just see the potential.”

Potential that Kraft plans to continue to develop with next year’s eighth-grade team.

“Going undefeated is tough to do because you’re always going to have that target on your back,” Kraft said. “That is something I know I can use for next year with the girls who will be part of the team. Each team is different and what I’ve learned is this team has a lot of energy.”

That energy is what brings Kraft back year after year to coach.

“I just love the excitement of the game and having the ability to teach a few things on the court and blend the girls together to work as a team.” So when the memory of their 12-0 season fades, "they take away the fact that hard work can pay off ... and it takes a team to work together to achieve a goal."