Providence Day girls chase redemption, 4A title in senior-led state final

By Richard Walker

Updated February 27, 2026 3:14 PM

AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.

Providence Day girls, led by five seniors, meet Cannon for 4A title Saturday.
Team seeks redemption after two regular-season losses to top-seeded Cannon.
Seniors aim to cap careers and add to Providence Day’s long championship history.

Providence Day School girls basketball Josh Springer has certainly enjoyed championship teams and coached championship players.

On Saturday at noon at Greensboro’s Novant Health Field House, this year’s senior-led Chargers (24-5) have a chance to etch their names into their school’s rich history when they meet top-seeded Cannon (24-6) for the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Class 4A championship game.

The Chargers’ boys’ team is also in the state final, searching for its first championship since 2016, when both Providence Day teams won titles. Chargers’ interim head boys’ coach Jonathan McIntrye was an assistant on the 2016 team. McIntyre’s current assistant coach, Brian Field, was head coach then.

The Providence Day School Chargers head coach Jonathan McIntyre talks to his team in the huddle in their 80-75 win over Carmel Christian in the NCISAA state semifinals on February 24, 2026. Matthew Laczko For to the Observer

For the Chargers’ girls, this will be their first finals’ appearance since 2024, when Cannon School beat Providence Day, 62-51, in Raleigh.

“We made the state championship in 2024 and came up a little short,” said Springer, who has a 440-104 head coaching record at Providence Day that includes 10 previous state titles. “But this group of seniors is incredibly hungry. It’s five seniors who have been with us a long time. And these kids have been through hundreds of practices and games.

“I’m just really proud of this entire team and this group of five seniors and their leadership has been special. It’s just the way they work every day, the way they celebrate each other and the way they embody our program motto of, ‘It’s not about me.’”

The Providence Day School Chargers head coach Josh Springer gets his team prepared in the second half of their win over Rabun Gap in the NCISAA state semifinals on February 24, 2026. Matthew Laczko For to the Observer

The group is comprised of Layla Clark, Jaida McClure, Julia O’Malley, Katelyn Ramsden and Jane Updyke.

“Saturday is what the five seniors have been working toward for all four years,” said Clark, an 2025 all-conference player whose older sister Nina-Simone was a 2020 basketball state champion. “We’re all excited about how our hard work is going to pay off on Saturday.”

The contest also gives the Chargers a chance a redemption for this season as two of their losses came against Cannon - 53-41 at home on Jan. 29 and 75-29 on the road Feb. 6.

“It’s really special,” said McClure, an Appalachian State signee who also has been nominated for the prestigious McDonald’s All-American game. “It’s been a long, long four years so this will be icing on the cake. “Ever since the playoffs started, we have taken it up a notch in practice and in the games. Everybody’s locked in on this opportunity.”

The Providence Day School Chargers guard Jaida McClure (2) warms up for the second half in their win over Rabun Gap in the NCISAA state semifinals on February 24, 2026. Matthew Laczko For to the Observer

Junior Ginny Anne Dumont is the top scorer at 13.7 points per game while McClure (11.2), O’Malley (8.0), Ramsden (7.7), Updyke (6.6) and Clark (5.4) are close behind. O’Malley (5.0), Updyke (4.9) and Dumont (4.6) are top rebounders with McClure leading in assists (3.9) and steals (2.8).

The group will look to add to Providence Day’s rich tradition that includes state championships in 1990, 1993, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2020 and runner-up finishes in 1982, 1984, 1991, 1999, 2009 and 2024.

In addition to the two losses to Cannon, the Chargers have lost to N.C. power Marvin Ridge and Georgia’s Marietta and Kell, which are both ranked among the top 11 teams in the state.

The Providence Day School Chargers guard Layla Clark (11) drives to the basket in their win over Rabun Gap in the NCISAA state semifinals on February 24, 2026. Matthew Laczko For to the Observer

“The whole season has been a rollercoaster ride for every single player,” said Updyke, who last spring led Providence Day to its first girls lacrosse state title. “We talk about adversity a lot and we face it in every practice and every game. The key is work through it.”

Ramsden and O’Malley, who had 13 and 10 points, respectively, in Tuesday’s 45-23 win over Rabun Gap, Ga., in the semifinals, know Saturday’s game will be the last time the group plays together.

“It’s going to mean a lot because it’s going to put an end to our four years and what we’ve been working for,” said Ramsden, a University of Chicago signee.

Added O’Malley, a Johns Hopkins signee: “We’ve all worked for four years for this moment. We can’t wait for Saturday.”

NCISAA state finals schedule

(At Novant Field House, Greensboro)

GIRLS

CLASS 4A

Saturday’s championship