Lady Redbirds see first return to Toepke Gym since beginning of COVID-19
Incoming junior Kayla Pacha wins the opening tip for the Lady Redbirds, who'd go on to defeat East Peoria in their opening scrimmage, 40-13. PHOTO / ALEX STAAB METAMORA - Earlier in the day on Wednesday, the Metamora Girls Basketball team met as a group for the first time since a frustrating regional final loss to #7-ranked Kankakee. You could see the beaming joy on the face of 7th-year head coach Brianna Morrow when she entered the gym, as was the case for nearly everyone inside Toepke Gym. "Today was like a Christmas again. We're super excited to be back in the gym." The Lady Redbirds have been on hold waiting to tip off their summer season, after the COVID-19 pandemic began and step-by-step, slowly shut all sports down. When the State of Illinois moved to Phase 4, and not too long after - the IHSA moved to Phase 2, it allowed groups of 50 and sport-specific drills, clearing the way for things like Wednesday night's scrimmage. Coach Morrow says it'...