Now, head coach Wendy Mize said, the challenge will be for the Lady Midcats to take the rest of the season one game at a time.
The roster consists of eighth graders MacKenzie Alexander, Davisanee Bingham, Jessica Brashears, LeOnzerrae Grubbs, Hannah Major and Mallory Mize, seventh graders Kayla Bingham, Alexis George, Taylor Gray, Gabby Lewis, JaKashea Martin, Alison Russell, Hayley Sowell and Faith Stone and sixth graders Shyanne Hemenway, Arianna Brown, Belinda Perry, Kimberlee Shelton and Emma Tilley.
Coach Mize, who is joined by assistant coach Dawne Jokinsky, said the first month of practice went well and that the eighth graders have high expectations for their season.
“We have several veteran players returning after a successful season last year,” Mize said. “I’ve seen some good leadership out of some of the players. The seventh grade team has a lot of new girls, and they’re young but working very hard. I see improvements every day, but it will take a little time for them to get used to each other.”
Mize said the eighth grade Lady Midcats will be led at point guard by Mallory Mize, and she said she also is pleased with the progress shown so far by Grubbs, perhaps the team’s most athletic player.
“We rely on Mallory to get the ball up the court, and LeOnzerrae played her best game Friday in terms of being unselfish and playing good defense,” coach Mize said, adding that players like Martin and Russell who gained experience last season will be expected to be leaders for new players on the team.
Mize said Trigg’s strength – quickness – will keep the Lady Midcats competitive throughout the season, but rather than focusing on a win total as a goal, she said the team will focus on each game as it comes.
“The eighth graders have high expectations for themselves, which is good,” Mize said. “We want to win every one we play, but we’ll make sure to prepare for the team in front of us and try not to look down the road.”
