The Holy Spirit Prep girls’ basketball team knew if it wanted respect, it had to be earned.

The night-and-day improvement of the Lady Cougars over the past four years under coach Jada Jordan has them eyeing more than a second straight GISA state playoff berth.

“This is the first time that I know about that the spotlight has been on a girls’ program in a major way,” Jordan said.

The tight-knit Lady Cougars (11-4) are proud to be where they are after a rocky beginning to the coach’s tenure, when Jordan inherited a team that was admittedly lacking in almost any knowledge of basic fundamentals.

“I remember saying, ‘There’s a difference between girls playing basketball and female basketball players,’” Jordan said.

Her direct, serious approach was a welcome change, and the team responded to it. In turn, Jordan said, her seniors have been the glue of the team during its evolution.

Holy Spirit already reached a milestone Jan. 9 by beating longtime nemesis and defending Region 1-AAA champion, Mount Vernon Presbyterian, 44-32, the first time it had knocked off the local rival in school history.

Senior Nneka Adibe led the strong defensive effort, collecting a career-high 15 rebounds to go along with two steals and a block.

“Actually beating them for the first time has really shown how we have grown as a team and how the program in general has gotten better over the years,” said senior Rachel Verlander.

They followed up with a 41-29 win over Dominion Christian Friday to improve to 4-1 in region play, led by leading scorer Demi Douglas’ 10 points and six rebounds. Douglas tops the team with 8.9 points and 7.5 rebounds a game.

Other statistical leaders for the team include sophomores Aimee Sinks (team-high 2.7 assists per game) and sophomore Selina Kelete (6.1 points and 1.5 steals).

The Lady Cougars have arrived now, and they’re giving back to women in the community to add some spark to their home rematch with Mount Vernon Friday at 6 p.m.

Holy Spirit players and cheerleaders will take the court in pink jerseys and encourage a “pinked-out” crowd for its “Cougars Care Benefit Night.” Team members and cheerleaders have championed an effort involving selling pink T-shirts, bracelets and baked goods to benefit St. Joseph’s Hospital’s Mercy Foundation for women’s health.

First suggested to Jordan by one of the team mothers, Peggy Ann West, the Lady Cougars ran with the idea.

The cheerleaders, coached by Simone Whitehead, have assumed an active role in the effort.

“All the girls, the junior high players and the varsity girl cheerleaders are coming together for this pink promotion to help women in need who are struggling,” Douglas said. “I think that’s brought awareness to our girls’ program, not only in basketball, but the whole school.”