The 2024-2025 Beachwood Bison girls’ basketball season concluded with a 13-10 record, reflecting both the team’s growth and the challenges they faced.
“This season was honestly one of my favorites of all my years,” senior guard Lexi Jaffe said. “Our record was the best it’s been since 2014-2015 which was a major accomplishment.”
“I loved playing well as a team one last time before going to college,” she added.
The Bison began the season with a strong 4-0 start, with senior Goldi Aschkenasy and freshman Aviva Haas each scoring 10 points in their third game, a 53-21 victory over Garrett Morgan High School.
Their dominant performance in the early games set the tone for the season, showcasing the team’s depth and ability to execute both offensively and defensively.
Strong ball movement, aggressive defense and effective transition play allowed Beachwood to control the pace and dictate the flow of the game throughout the season.
This early success built confidence among the players and reinforced their potential to compete at a high level throughout the season.
The team experienced both highs and lows throughout the season.
A notable victory came on Feb. 12, when they beat Valley Forge High School in an intense game leading to a 39-38 win for Beachwood.
However, challenges arose in conference play, leading to a 4-7 record and a fifth-place finish in the Chagrin Valley Conference Metro Division.
Veteran players particularly enjoyed playing with freshman point guard Zoe Walters, who made an immediate impact with her dynamic playmaking abilities, averaging 17.1 points and 3.3 steals per game.
“[Zoe] made plays that opened up every position on the court,” Jaffe said. “Personally, her [strength as] point guard opened up my shooting, which I didn’t have last year or the year before.”
Jaffe contributed seven points and three rebounds per game, demonstrating her competitiveness and adaptability in multiple positions throughout the season.
Senior Guard Londyn Travis also had a lot to say about Walters and how the team grew over the season.
“I think the team grew in a few different ways because we became more skilled, especially with the addition of Zoe Walters for her freshman season,” Travis said.
This year was a special one for Travis as well.
“My favorite part about our senior season was how close the team got because I really felt like we connected in a new way,” she said. “Overall, I’m very proud of our accomplishments, and I feel good about leaving the team in a good spot for next year.”
“Also I believe we grew in our maturity level,” she added.
Jaffe enjoyed the memories she made with this year’s team.
“My favorite memory from this year would probably have to be senior night,” she said. “I played with lots of intensity and felt super excited for that game. Getting to walk out with my parents meant a lot since they had always been at my games and have seen me play since I was little.”
Another leader on the team this year was Goldi Aschkenasy, a 6-foot senior forward, who averaged 17.1 points per game and ranked among the top shot blockers in the area with 4.2 blocks per game. Her versatility allowed her to score both inside and from the 3-point line.
In addition, sophomore guard/forward Marley Readance earned honorable mention All-CVC honors, averaging 4.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 2.4 assists per game.
Under the guidance of third-year coach Don Readance, the Bison aimed to blend the experience of five seniors with the energy of nine sophomores and 10 freshmen and did so successfully. Coach Readance emphasized consistency on both ends of the floor and sought to utilize the team’s athleticism, particularly in transition play.
Looking Ahead
While the season’s end was marked by challenges, the Bison’s resilience and individual performances provided a foundation for future growth.
The blend of experienced upperclassmen and emerging underclassmen suggests a promising outlook for the upcoming seasons, as the team continues to build on the lessons learned and strives for greater success.
With a strong core of returning players and the development of young talent, the Bison look to refine their offensive and defensive strategies, improve team chemistry and capitalize on their athleticism.
Coach Readance and his staff are committed to fostering a culture of hard work, discipline and teamwork, ensuring that Beachwood remains a competitive force in the Chagrin Valley Conference.
As the team enters the offseason, players will focus on strength training, skill development and summer league play, all of which will contribute to an even stronger season next year.
