Galloway — Brittany Wade knew the challenge she was taking on when she became head coach of the Westland Cougars girls basketball team, a program that has won just four games in the past two seasons and claimed only one Ohio Capital Conference victory in the current decade. For Wade, these struggles signal the start of building something stronger. “No game is given; everything is earned,” she said. “We have to show up consistently and put the work in.” With a focus on effort and consistency, Wade is determined to guide the Cougars toward a brighter future.
On Saturday afternoon, the Westland Cougars ended a 33-game losing streak that stretched back to December 1, 2023, with a decisive 66-29 victory over Cristo Rey at home. The win also marked a milestone for Coach Wade, who celebrated her inaugural victory with the program. “My first win means everything,” she reflected. “It’s a testament that the hard work, late nights, early mornings, and running 17s are worth it all.”
It’s been a roller coaster of a season for Westland, with the Cougars enduring blowout after blowout. Their closest chance at a win slipped away by just four points, while no other game had been within 32. Yet, despite the lopsided losses, Coach Wade and her team showed up day after day, refusing to back down. “It speaks volumes to their resilience,” Wade said. “There have been plenty of times they could have just quit. People thought they would quit, but they kept showing up and believing.”
Coach Wade credits the team’s resilience to the culture they’ve built off the court, a foundation that helps them face challenges on the court together. “We’ve done really good about balancing the team morale,” she explained. “We’ve spent a lot of time focusing on team bonding activities to build connections, chemistry, and a sisterhood that makes you want to keep showing up.”
With just eight games left in the season, Westland’s focus remains on building a strong foundation for the future. “Our goal for the rest of the season is to keep stacking days to get better and adding brick by brick,” Coach Wade said. “I hope this win changes our mindset by showing the girls that if you show up and put the work in, your game will show up for you when you need it.”
The records may not look impressive on paper, and outsiders might scoff at the idea of “progress,” but for Westland, the process is very real. Coach Wade is determined to prove that the Cougars can be contenders, even if it starts with small wins amid long trials. “We can compete and change the Westland culture,” she said, underscoring her vision for a program built on resilience and growth.
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