Photo courtesy of @lensofariela Instagram.
Through 10 games, Einstein girls’ basketball sits with a record of 7-3. Last season, it accumulated 10 wins across the entire campaign. There’s still 10 games left to play this season, with a chance to blow that win total out of the water.
And this team still has years to continue to develop.
“This is a young team with no seniors,” said head coach Travis Rice. “That allows me to take my time with them, focus on teaching, skill development, and growth, knowing I have at least two more years with this group. That makes the process exciting and rewarding.”
And Rice has been rewarded with stellar play from some of his best players thus far. Sophomore Chace Tucker, who won Montgomery County Rookie of the Year in 2024-25, is currently averaging 19 points, eight rebounds, five steals and four assists per game. Rice noted her ability to lead the team in a vocal manner while setting the tone on the court with her play.
But Tucker hasn’t been the only impact player on the team. Isabella Smith has stormed into the arena as a freshman, already averaging 13 points and four steals per game. Her aggressiveness has stood out to Rice, and she’s proven to be a valuable asset on both ends of the floor.
Ethel Ndi — a scrappy, energetic and competitive player — and Zaria Grigby — a three-year varsity veteran who is quieter but leads by example — also stand out to Rice as some of the team’s leaders.
With a mix of personalities and leadership styles, it’s no wonder that the Titans have emerged as a contender in the county. And Rice knew the team was prepared.
“Having girls who are eager to learn and improve right from the beginning of the season has made a difference,” he said. “Most of the girls participated in Summer League, Fall League, or both, allowing them to get to know one another while gaining extra basketball experience before the Winter season began.”
Einstein embarked on a four-game winning streak after an early loss — Rice noted that the team's positivity during their film session following the loss grew the group’s confidence. And its “nothing easy” mindset has propelled the team into a defensively-oriented squad that’s beginning to flourish on the offensive end.
“We are guard-heavy and have a lot of speed, so I want us pushing the pace as much as possible, wearing teams down and forcing them to try to keep up with us,” Rice said. “At the same time, we are teaching them how to execute in the half court, understanding that everything will not come from fast-break opportunities.”
With the Titans dropping two of their last three contests to some other juggernauts in Montgomery County, the team will need that same confident mentality to help it get back on track. But given the team’s identity, that may not be too difficult.
“Our team culture is very strong,” Rice said. “The girls genuinely like and support one another, and I believe that is the first, and most important, part of building a successful team. When they enjoy being together not just on the court but also off the court, it makes everything on the court smoother and allows coaching and growth to happen more naturally.”
But no matter the end result, there’s no question that Einstein is forging its mark as one of the premier teams in the county. And Rice wouldn’t trade his team for anyone.
“I really enjoy everything about coaching this team. This is a special group of girls who are fun to be around and constantly make me laugh,” he said. “What I love most is that they genuinely love basketball—they want to learn, they want to get better, and they show up every day with no excuses. There have even been times when players were sick and still came to practice, and I had to send them home or shut things down. Just knowing how much they want to be there means a lot.”
