But McGill also notes the factors that contribute to Metro's shortcomings in girls basketball. In Metro, many players just begin playing basketball as freshmen while others have very little experience coming in, coaches say. Then when practice starts it's almost like you're starting from scratch. In the outlying counties, some schools don't even field teams in some of the smaller sports. Shelbyville, for instance, doesn't have a volleyball team.
Basketball is, in many ways, the only game in town for girls.
And Shelbyville can stake claim to six state championships since Metro's last one. Those schools in Nashville have everything at their fingertips, and there are just so many more things to get involved in. And the girls at Metro schools are definitely taking advantage of their opportunities. Hunters Lane is currently in the midst of its most successful season in girls basketball, with a 25-5 record heading into sectional play. A season-ending loss won't necessarily be a lost cause for everyone involved, however.