White-and-orange WNBA basketballs cut through the air inside the Chicago Bulls training facility Saturday as the squeak of sneakers and the thump of dribbling echoed across the hardwood.
About 150 girls moved through drills when Beyoncé’s anthem filled the gym: “Who run the world? Girls.”
The clinic was part of the Chicago Bulls’ and Gatorade’s third annual Girls’ Day of Play, a Women’s History Month event aimed at introducing basketball to girls aged eight to 18 in an inclusive environment. It also marked the culmination of a six-month coaching initiative that provides 50 Chicago-area coaches with resources to support female-identifying athletes throughout their seasons.
“We were trying to figure out how we, as a men’s professional team, address the rates of girls dropping out or not even joining sports,” said Adrienne Scherenzel, Bulls vice president of community engagement. “We can’t get to all the girls, but we know we can get to the coaches.”
The coaching development program partners with the nonprofit Center for Healing and Justice Through Sport, along with Bulls youth hoops coaches, to train Chicago-area coaches on how to better encourage, support and develop their athletes.
Scherenzel said the program is designed to respond to questions coaches have throughout their seasons. For example, some male coaches have asked how to better support athletes during menstrual cycles, prompting the program to provide care packages with menstrual products.
“It’s a nice, discreet, black case, so they can take it with them, and just have it on the bus, or in their first aid kit,” Scherenzel said, “so if girls need products, they can always get them there.”
Adrienne Scherenzel, Bulls VP of community engagment, at the Chicago Bulls' "Girls' Play Day" on March 7, 2026.
Adrienne Scherenzel, Bulls VP of community engagment, at the Chicago Bulls’ “Girls’ Play Day” on March 7, 2026.
Arthur Maiorella/For the Sun-Times
Stephanie Blagaich has coached girls basketball at Sullivan High School in Rogers Park for three seasons, but this was her first year participating in the Bulls’ development program.
“I changed my coaching strategy because of this program,” she said.
Blagaich said she used to start every season by focusing heavily on strategy. Now her priority is building confidence and skills before diving into the playbook.
“When I first started playing basketball, I was given that binder of plays — X’s and O’s — and I knew as a player I needed to learn this,” she said. “I changed my coaching strategy and focused more on skill building and overall goals, which allowed my players to be more confident on the court.”
One of Blagaich’s athletes, first-year point guard Lucie Pauni, said she felt even more confident after the clinic and plans to bring what she learned back to her team.
“I’ll teach them how to handle the ball, how to dribble between legs and how to cooperate with each other,” Pauni said.
Scenes from the Chicago Bulls' "Girls' Play Day" on March 7, 2026.
Scenes from the Chicago Bulls’ “Girls’ Play Day” on March 7, 2026.
Arthur Maiorella/For the Sun-Times
Kerasia Ntokos of suburban Cass Junior High said the girls-only clinic was “less nerve-wracking” than a co-ed Bulls clinic she attended in the past.
“It’s really interesting to see so many girls who love the same sport in one room,” she said.
Ntokos said the coaches were empowering while also pushing her to improve.
“Even if you don’t think you’re the best basketball player, or you just like the sport in general, come and try it out,” Ntokos said. “I bet when you walk out of here, you’ll be like, 10 times more confident, because I definitely was.”
Athletes and coaches alike also took note of DJ Hillery Banks, who mixed artists like Olivia Dean and The Cheetah Girls with Chicago house music to keep the energy high. The Bulls selected Banks as one of three Black DJs representing the future of Chicago’s Black music community last month.
“She’s awesome – the energy is so upbeat,” Ntokos said.
The Chicago Sky’s mascot, Skye the Lioness, also made rounds around the gym, running drills and snapping photos with athletes.
When the event ended, girls and coaches left the Bulls training facility sweaty, energized and accompanied by some new friends.