LIONS GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM – Members of the 2008-2009 Halifax County Middle School girls basketball team are, front row, from left, Samantha Sheedy, BriAna Pierce, Danyelle Edmonds, Alexia Tucker, Janiyah Logan and Brianna Cunningham. Second row, manager Amber Harris, Ashley Snead, Gabby Harris, Ashley Hill, Chelese Bowman and scorekeeper Briana Jackson. Back row, head coach James Smith, Brittani Boxley, Whitney White, Alexis Watson, Sheraine Claughton and assistant coaches Shareon Smith and Rebecca Goelz. (G-V Photo/Doug Ford)
Lady Lions Aim For Another Title By Doug Ford
Last year’s Halifax County Middle School girls’ basketball team, the youngest ever in coach James Smith’s 10 years at the helm, made it all the way to the championship game of the Southside Middle School Conference Tournament championship game before losing to a veteran Powhatan team.
That loss broke an 85-game winning streak over five seasons, which included five conference tournament titles.
Seven players, including three starters, return for another season of basketball, all of whom got significant playing time last season, and all of whom remember what happened at Powhatan.
That means extra motivation for a team that is one of his deepest and most athletic squads to date, according to Smith, who has a full complement of assistant coaches, including veteran Shareon Smith and newcomer Rebecca Goelz.
“This team has a lot of motivation after the loss to Powhatan last year, and that left a bad taste in our mouths,” recalled Smith.
“The girls are hungrier this season, especially the returnees, who are bigger, stronger and have a year under their belts,” he continued.
“That makes a big difference.”
Returning starters include eighth-graders Logan Holmes and Chelese Bowman, in addition to seventh-grader Alexia Tucker.
The other returnees, eighth-graders Gabbi Harris, BriAna Pierce and Danyelle Edmonds, along with seventh-grader Janiyah Logan, all got plenty of game experience last year during a 16-win season.
New to the team are eighth-graders Sheraine Claughton, Ashley Snead and Alexis Watson, seventh-graders Brianna Cunningham, Sammantha Sheedy and Ashley Hill, and sixth-graders Brittani Boxley and Whitney White.
Smith has plenty of height on the team, but what has stood out in his mind thus far in practices is the overall quickness of the squad.
“This team is very quick, one of the quickest teams we’ve had in a while, and we have a lot of athletes as well,” explained Smith.
“We have size and still get up and down the floor.”
There is room to grow, he noted, with the youngest Lions, White and Boxley both checking in at 5-9 or taller.
Smith has seen improvement among all his returning players, including Logan, Pierce, Edmonds and Harris, who fit in with Holmes, Tucker and Bowman to give him a solid rotation to begin the season.
Smith, whose teams play a pressing, uptempo style of basketball, is looking to add a couple more players to that rotation.
“Janiyah and BriAna have really improved since last year, and with Danyelle and Gabby, they fit in with the three returning starters for seven experienced players,” he said.
“I hope to get something out of the younger girls, added Smith, who is ideally looking to go about nine or ten deep.
With three returning starters and four others with extensive game experience, along with the amount of size, speed and athleticism on hand, expectations are high this season for the Lady Lions.
“Some of the players do need some experience, and during the year a loss isn’t a big deal, but I expect this team to get better toward the end of the year,” said Smith.
“That’s when you want to play your best. We host the tournament this year, and you always seem to play your best at home.
“I had about 60 girls to come out for the team, and I have a lot of talent this year, a lot of athleticism,” repeated Smith.
“Expectations are real high with this group, and I’ll be real disappointed if we don’t win the title.”
