Despite the growing popularity of women's basketball at the college and professional levels, participation in girls high school basketball has declined nationwide, leading Grand Island Senior High School in Nebraska to cancel its varsity and junior varsity teams due to low turnout.
Since Clark was born 22 years ago, participation in girls high school basketball has dropped nearly 20% and the sport has fallen from most popular to number four behind volleyball, soccer and track and field.
The decision by Grand Island Senior High School — the state's third-largest with more than 2,600 students — reflects a national decline in participation in the girls sport, even as the popularity of behind the likes of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese has sent record numbers of fans flocking to arenas or tuning in on TV.Schools across the country have made similar choices, but that hasn’t made the move any easier for those passionate about Grand Island basketball. “We’ve seen the train coming. I mean we’ve been sitting on the tracks forever. But frankly, people just didn’t want to do the heavy lifting that was required,” said Jeremy Jensen, a former Grand Island mayor and high school soccer coach who wishes more had been done to build a sustainable girls basketball program. The high school in the largely blue-collar city of 52,000 about 120 miles (190 kilometers) west of Omaha decided to cancel its varsity and junior varsity teams this year after no juniors or seniors went out for the sport. The team suffered a series of lopsided losses, and with many young athletes choosing to specialize in one sport and other activities competing for girls' time, the school decided to focus on developing young players instead of putting a team of freshman and sophomores on the court. Still, the school's decision was jarring at a time when college and professional women's basketball has been surging in popularity, partly due to the phenomenal success of WNBA Indiana Fever guard Clark, who set records at the University of Iowa. Kansas State University women’s basketball coach Jeff Mittie said more viewers doesn't necessarily mean more player
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PARTICIPATION DECLINE GRAND ISLAND NEBRASKA WOMEN's BASKETBALL
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
4-star Elba running back Alvin Henderson officially signs with Auburn footballHenderson signs with Auburn following a historic high school career at Elba High School
Read more »
Long Island community mourns Massapequa High School senior who died during charity hockey gameKasin, a senior at Massapequa High School, was participating in a memorial game at the Town of Oyster Bay Skating Center for Sabrina Navaretta, a 19-year-old Syosset graduate who was killed in a car crash in 2023.
Read more »
Madison High School Students March for Gun Control After School ShootingHundreds of students from Madison High School protested for stricter gun control measures at the Wisconsin state Capitol following a school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School.
Read more »
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will feature Flower Mound High School marching band: A school firstFlower Mound High School Band will debut in Macys' Thanksgiving Parade
Read more »
High School Football Season Ends on a High NoteThe Bay Area News Group staff reflects on the most memorable moments of the high school football season, celebrating upsets and individual achievements. Christian Babcock's dominant performance in the game predictions competition adds to the celebratory atmosphere.
Read more »
Mix of old and new makes Skyline High School the 'Cool School of the Week'Darienne is from Draper, Utah and is so excited to start her broadcast journalism career in her home state!
Read more »