During the 2025 girls basketball season, the Fair Grove Lady Eagles won the class three state championship. The basketball seniors have endured many seasons together originating to kindergarten, and their parents have supported them in many ways and have enjoyed watching them play all these years.
Amy Bell, mother of Ashton Bell (12), explained that a lot of planning had gone into the team to help them be successful. Bell stated, “My husband was the girl’s basketball coach, and principal at the time, and he got a group of girls together when they were in preschool. He would actually go watch them in P.E. at the time.”
Mrs. Bell also explained that the group got bigger as the members got older. It was originally Ashton Bell (12), Brooke Daniels (12), Abbey Green (12), Emaley Stallings (12), and Meadow Carter (12). Eventually, Emma Padgett (12), and Shea Skouby (12) joined during Elementary school, with Cam Hart (12) joining in Middle school. She stated, “As they got older, some of the girls played on other travel teams also, but they all played on one together.”
Rhonda Perryman, mother of Brooke Daniels, stated she has many memories of the players growing up together. She claimed, “My favorite memories were when the girls first started playing basketball at the YMCA in preschool. The ball was bigger than they were. I also really enjoyed the junior high years. The girls were goofy and carefree.”
Superintendent of the Fair Grove School District, and father of Ashton Bell, Mike Bell said, “Most of the senior girls have known each other since kindergarten with a few joining in during the upper elementary years. For the most part the girls were all home grown Fair Grove kids. Unlike many successful High School teams, this group had no recruits and very few move-ins once they started 7th grade.”
Mr. Bell added, “It has been an incredible experience seeing these kids work hard, practice hard, and compete together all while being friends. They never let parent drama or ambitions, jealousies, or hard times get in their way of being successful. Bell commented that his favorite memories include coaching the girls at various tournaments and leagues around the state alongside Rhonda Perryman (Brooke’s mom) and Carrie Green (Abbey’s mom) and, seeing all the hard work the girls have put in, pay off in state championships.
Perryman also explained that she was beaming with pride when the girls won the first state basketball championship. She was very excited when they got to return as state volleyball champions with a record breaking undefeated season.
Mrs. Bell and Perryman explained that the girls are a very special group. Bell stated, “They are like sisters. They love each other, but they can also get on each other’s nerves. They are a fun group, who are always laughing and dancing, but they also have an extremely competitive side to them.”
Perryman added, “…I have enjoyed every minute of watching them play the sports they love and be so successful. They work hard and love each other. I’m just super thankful that my daughter had the opportunity to grow up with these amazing girls and that I was able to cheer alongside their parents.”
Mr. Bell stated, “These girls have created a legacy of consistency and success unlike anything Fair Grove has seen before. Hopefully their achievements have set a powerful example, inspiring young girls throughout our school to dream big and strive for greatness.”
