HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- Highland Springs teammates Sydney Boone and Iyanna Rogers will go down in Highland Springs history as part of the first girls' basketball team to win a state title.
The two made more school history when Boone signed to play at Richmond and Rogers to Penn. They became the first girls basketball players to commit to those two schools.
"It's knowing that it's finally coming true," stated Boone. "You work so hard and to know that your finally there and it's finally coming true."
"I don't think it hit yet, like it's still surreal," Rogers explained. "Till I get to the school, you know and settling in, I think that's when it's going to hit."
Boone averaged 18 points and five assists a game last season, as she was named first team all-state and the Metro Player of the Year. She felt Richmond was the perfect balance of academics and athletics.
"I say first education," Boone mentioned. "Then Coaching staff and teammates. It's like a bond there and I knew that they wanted me. It's the feeling of being wanted. That's very important. And of course, being home. That's good too.
Rogers was also a first team all-state selection as she averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds a night for the Lady Springers last season. When she chose Penn, it fulfilled a life-long dream to play in the Ivy League.
"Ever since I was younger, I always enjoyed school," Rogers expressed. "I was really interested. It wasn't like just getting good grades, being an intellectual. So, going to a school like Penn, it meant a lot to me. And being able to have a combination of academics and athletics in one, it's a really big thing for me."
Before they signed, both Boone and Rogers became emotional about the road each traveled to get to the point of playing Division I College Basketball next year.
"When you go back and think about those things they did, you don't really think about it as the day goes on," said Boone. "Then when you mentioned it, it's like oh yea I remember that. And that made it emotional."
"It gives meaning to my journey I think," stated Rogers. "Because a lot of the lessons I learned was through those surgeries. I'm grateful that they happened because at the beginning I was a little hurt and disappointed."
Boone and Rogers will return to help defend their share of the Class 5 State Championship they won when the COVID pandemic hit back in March.
"A lot has been pushed back from workouts and everything," Boone explained. "I'm just excited to be able to play. We're just lucky to still be able to, unlike some other counties."
"It's definitely exciting," Rogers said. "We've been working on this our whole four years, and I really think we have the pieces to put together to win this championship."
