GARDNER — The trophy cases at Gardner Grade School are full, requiring the purchase of another. One might say that the girls basketball team is earning too much hardware.

Last month, GGS sent a team to the IESA State Final for the second straight year and for the fourth time in the last five years. For the first time during that stretch, the Lady Tigers won a game at state. In fact, they won two at the 8-1A tournament at Clinton Junior High, defeating Washington St. Patrick 30-27 in their opener and bouncing back from a 45-28 loss to eventual champion Atwood-Hammond to beat Springfield Little Flower 29-16 for third place.

All five starters — Jenni Price, Celia Barna, Marlana Ferrari, Sydney Perkins and Kira Gleason — and reserves Kayleigh Anderson, Carly Bernardy, Ali Manzello and Lexi Robinson were part of the Lady Tigers' 7-1A state qualifier in 2011. It is a group that has been together since its members were in the fifth grade.