Covering the Sophie Cunningham Classic

I was incredibly thankful to receive a media pass to attend and cover the Sophie Cunningham Classic, an event that continues to spotlight the talent, competitiveness, and confidence of young women in basketball from across the country. Being able to witness this level of play up close was inspiring and energizing.

One phrase that truly resonated with me throughout the weekend was, “Girls get buckets too.” It captured everything this tournament represents: girls showing up, competing hard, and owning their space in the game. I was especially excited to get the shirt, knowing it reflects a message so aligned with my work of encouraging girls to believe in their abilities and stay confident in sports.

Colleen Finney stands alongside Kerrie Bloss and Amy Hay, holding up a “Girls Get Buckets Too” shirt during the Sophie Cunningham Classic.

While basketball was never my strongest sport, I loved watching young women play with passion, confidence, and intensity. Seeing girls compete without hesitation, celebrate their skills, and push themselves on the court is exactly why events like this matter. The Sophie Cunningham Classic does more than host games as it creates visibility, opportunity, and belief for the next generation of female athletes.