The Madison County girls’ basketball team has officially entered the “post-Courtney era.”
The Lady Raiders, 24-6 last year, are in the midst of their summer exhibition schedule, tasked with replacing the 20-plus points and 10 boards per game lost due to the graduation of superstar Courtney Freeman.
“I’ve already seen a lot of players start to step up their game,” third-year coach Dan Lampe said.
Still, it’s not everyday a team loses an impact player like Freeman. That much was evident back in spring league play (not an official part of the high school basketball program; coaches aren’t allowed to instruct).
What Lampe saw early was a team missing its star.
“You saw the transition,” he said.
But, apparently, a transition has transpired, nonetheless.
Players like Lauren Smith, entering her fourth year in the Lady Raider back court; post player Kayla Freeman, the team’s top returning scorer; and Molly Glaze, a reserve guard last year; have bolstered a “Courtney-less” offense so far.
“Lauren, Kayla and Molly have carried the scoring load,” Lampe said.
Glaze’s emergence, in particular, has surprised Lampe. He said the rising sophomore is equally capable of penetrating for points or stepping back and draining a three.
“She’s going to be a hard cover for somebody … I expected her to improve, but not to the level she has,” Lampe said.
Lampe added that rising senior guard Shantydra Arnold’s game appears to be “back on track,” while Juvonna Fleming has opponents respecting her jump shot.
“Now that she’s hitting her shots, it’s making people have to play everybody solid, which is opening up other players even more,” Lampe said.
Sam LaZear, who’s splitting time between summer basketball and softball, adds to the Lady Raiders’ depth at guards. Elizabeth Whieldon, also splitting the summer between softball and basketball, gives Madison County more options in the front court.
Madison County is also benefiting from the contributions of a newcomer. Rising freshman post player Elise Colberly has emerged as a “knock-down shooter” and a player who’s very capable on the boards.
“What she give us more than anything that we need is that she’s making up for Courtney’s rebounds,” Lampe said.
Defense may be the Lady Raiders’ strong suit when the regular season starts.
Lampe said his team suffocated foes in two scrimmage games last week and showed little weakness when going to the bench.
“We can go 10 deep this year with no considerable drop off on defense,” he said.
Even if it’s just the summer, this appears to be a team already believing. Lampe recalls a recent conversation with his seniors.
“They said, ‘I didn’t think we’d be as good as we are this early,’” he said. “So they’re feeling really good about the squad coming up.”
NOTES: Madison County scrimmaged three times last week before hitting the road for a three-day stay at Auburn’s basketball camp.
The Lady Raiders will finish the summer slate at the end of the month.
