EVANSTON — As the buzzer sounded back on Jan. 27, ending the game between the Jackson and Evanston girls’ basketball teams, EHS senior Jacey Bardsley couldn’t help but smile.
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EVANSTON — As the buzzer sounded back on Jan. 27, ending the game between the Jackson and Evanston girls’ basketball teams, EHS senior Jacey Bardsley couldn’t help but smile.
The scoreboard read 38-22 in favor of the Lady Devils, snapping a 12-game losing streak that began with the first game of the season. Many wondered if the young team — made up primarily of sophomores and freshmen – would win any games at all this season, the first under new head coach Roy Barker.
“When the buzzer went off, Coach Barker looked at me and Rhyen [fellow senior Rhyen Debenham] and said, ‘We did it!’” Bardsley recalled. “And that made everything worth it — it encapsulated my time with this program. I really loved the opportunity I had to be a Lady Red Devil.”
The Lady Devils went on to win two more games this season, including a thriller on their home court against Green River on Senior Night.
“Beating Green River on Senior Night was the best night of the season to me,” Debenham said. “It was absolutely a night to remember, and I am so proud of all of us.”
The season came to an end a couple of weeks ago at the 4A West Regional Tournament, and with it the high school hoops careers of Debenham and Bardsley, who — in their four years with the program — dealt with more adversity than any player has a right to expect, not the least of which was a new head coach — as well as a new system — every year.
As they entered their final season, both Debenham and Bardsley knew it would be a rebuilding year, with yet another new coach and system. But they would weather the storm, just like they always had — by leaning on each other.
“I knew that this season was going to be rather difficult and a learning experience for me and all of the other girls,” Debenham said. “Having Jacey by my side kept me motivated and knowing that we are in it together. I am so happy to have her as my teammate and friend. We both knew that this year was a building year for the younger girls, which is what needs to happen for this program to get better and grow. Though me and Jacey will not be part of the upcoming years, we are still grateful to have been a part of it.”
For her part, Bardsley said her motivation came from her teammates and playing for Barker, as well as the realization that the ride was quickly coming to an end.
“This year was a little bumpy, but never enough to quit,” she said.” We are always working to get better each day. Coach Barker kept us fighting. I also think that realizing it’s almost over gave me a lot of motivation to do the best I can.”
Barker said the two have been excellent examples of grit and determination for the younger players.
“The two seniors who have been in the program for a long time — Rhyen and Jacey — they’ve been through a lot, a lot of ups and downs in the program,” he said. “But they’ve stuck it out, where they easily could have maybe tanked it in. They haven’t. We’re proud of them, for sticking it out, and trying to do the best they can. We really appreciate that.”
Overcoming adversity
Asked about the challenges of adapting to a new coaching staff every year, both players said they became stronger because of it, both on and off the court.
“These last four years have been an incredible learning experience for me.” Debenham said. “I have grown tremendously as a player, as well as a person. I have had four different coaches – which comes with its own set of challenges, with a brand new coaching style and new plays. While that can be a real challenge to adapt to, I am happy to say I stuck with it, and feel I have learned many life lessons along the way.”
Bardsley agreed.
“It definitely has made me a stronger player and person,” she said. “Learning and adapting four times is no easy challenge. I have experienced four types of defense, offense and fundamentals. They all have changed with each coach. On top of that, just bonding with coaches has been something to adapt to each year, but I am thankful we got to experience Coach Barker as our coach for my final year.”
Teammates from way back
If you look hard enough through the photo archives at the Uinta County Herald, you might stumble across a folder of photos from an Evanston Middle School girls’ basketball game in 2019, with Debenham and Bardsley front and center. Of all the girls on that eighth-grade team, those two are the only ones left standing as seniors.
“I always knew it would be Rhyen and I in the end,” Bardsley said. “Neither of us would have been here this season if the other didn’t come out. On the court, we have lots of fun; it’s exciting to watch how far we have developed. Off the court, we are the two seniors always together; it’s been a fun friendship.”
Debenham said she couldn’t imagine coming this far without Bardsley keeping her focused.
“Jacey is the water to my fire,” she said. “She keeps me grounded. She already knows how to handle things the right way — she has been by my side ever since we were young. She is such an inspiration to me and all of the other girls. She is one crazy athlete, and she has so much talent in her and I am so proud to call her my friend and teammate.”
As the elder statesmen on the team — along with senior exchange student Eden Deat – Debenham and Bardsley were counted on by the coaching staff to provide leadership to the younger players on the team, a role they both took to heart.
“These girls are my best friends — I love and adore each and every one of them,” Debenham said. “My biggest goal as a senior was not to be the big, bad senior, but the big sister or friend that always has everyone’s back. I refuse to play the seniority card, unless I’m in the food line I am so incredibly proud of all of these girls, and can’t wait to see how they grow over the next few years.”
“I love being a leader, especially for a group as young as ours,” Bardsley added. “I feel as though I have a whole bunch of little sisters. They are all hardworking and amazing people. Being able to lead them is a life lesson and a challenge I have enjoyed.”
Freshman Violet Cook said she enjoyed hanging with the older girls on the team, because they never made the younger girls feel inferior or unwanted.
“The older girls loved us younger girls, and loved to include us in everything they did,” Cook said. “I especially loved our seniors Rhyen Debenham and Jacey Bardsley, and how they made each and every one of us feel loved and valued.”
With their careers on the hardwood at an end — and graduation now more than just a blip on the horizon — both players took a moment to reflect on their time as Lady Devils.
I am so grateful to have been a Lady Red Devil,” Debenham said. “I have put in the work and time to get where I am today, and I am very happy to be a part of so many programs. Some of my biggest takeaways from my career are to be kind, be strong and have resilience. I truly have had such an amazing time playing the sports I love, with so many wonderful people and I will always look back at my time as an athlete here with gratitude.”
For Bardsley, it was about the lessons learned.
“It wasn’t always about basketball, but my future,” she said. “Coach Barker and Coach Lonsway developed me into a new person. I learned a lot of things about myself, as well. Go Big Red!”
