Classmates Paris Foster, left, and Madison Mitchell, right, show Sheffield freshman Peyton Wotorson (14) a sign they made for Saturday’s Warren girls basketball game at Sheffield High School. Times Observer photo by Cody Elms

On Saturday, Warren Area High School’s girls basketball team played a home game at Sheffield Area Middle/High School.

According to Warren head coach Lisa LaVan, they were just looking out for four of their family members who happen to attend Sheffield High School — junior Emily Foster, sophomore Emily Davidson and freshmen Emma Roell and Peyton Wotorson.

“I think it was special,” said LaVan. “Two of them have been with me and two are new to me and, again, it’s the most tight-knit group I’ve ever had in 15 years and I folded in another school. That says a lot about the type of kids they are.”

Warren defeated DuBois Central Catholic in both the junior varsity and varsity contests.

“They are a very, very good 1A team,” said LaVan of DCC, “and we scheduled them specifically for that reason; we knew they’d give us a challenge.”

LaVan said it was a better fit asking a District 9 team to play at Sheffield rather than asking a District 10 team to cross the county.

“The game being held in Sheffield meant a lot to us,” said Davidson. “Being able to play one game in the gym we grew up in and have played on since third grade felt so great. It was nice looking into the stands and seeing familiar faces. The last time I have played a game in the Ralph J. Santo Gymnasium was the fall of 2020, in eighth grade.

“Last year, it was just Emily Foster and I who stuck it out with Warren and we are happy we did,” she said. “The moment we first stepped into the gym, Lisa was already handing us Warren gear. I would say a big reason we all get along is coach Lisa. She told the girls that she didn’t care where anyone was from and that, when we were in this gym, we were a family. The girls were very accepting and I played before with some of them for other sports and I believe it was a little head start. Now we have Emma Roell and Peyton Wotorson joining with Emily and I, but our team has never been stronger than this year. We all have a tight bond.”

Warren County School District’s board of directors approved a co-op between Warren and Sheffield last year when only five girls from Sheffield signed up for high school girls basketball there. Two of those girls — Davidson and Foster — joined the Warren program.

“We have absolutely loved this co-op,” said LaVan. “You obviously have questions and maybe some doubts when it first starts but, wow, it has really turned out for the best. Put all the basketball skill that those four girls have aside; they are absolutely wonderful human beings, and are a perfect fit for our program.”

Foster played for Sheffield’s high school girls basketball team as a freshman.

“When I found out that we weren’t going to have a team for the 2021-2022 season, it was heartbreaking,” said Foster. “I thought I wouldn’t be able to play another game on my home court; turns out, I was wrong. I looked to Emily Davidson after the game and said, ‘I can’t believe we just got to play at home.’ If I’m being honest, Sheffield isn’t home for basketball anymore. Warren is. Lisa said it perfectly, we’re a family. I couldn’t ask for a better transition. The girls who were on the team before the co-op were very welcoming. I was never treated as anything less than equal. I can’t remember what it’s like not having Lisa, Jenny (Phillips) and John (White) as my coaches. It’s sad to see Sheffield not have program, but I’m thankful for it. I’ve learned so much since I began playing for Lisa. Not only have I learned more about the game, but more about life. I’m blessed that I was given the opportunity to be a Warren Lady Dragon.”

LaVan said the feeling is mutual.

“In my opinion, it is a win-win all the way around,” said LaVan, “and I think these four would agree that they have absolutely loved it.”