The East Jackson Lady Eagles got their season under way this week, traveling to North Oconee to take part in the Titan Thanksgiving Tournament, which started Monday.
Results were unavailable at press time.
The Lady Eagles will next hit the court against the Lady Wildcats of Apalachee in Bethlehem on Tuesday, Nov. 30.
It will be the first meeting of the two teams. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m.
First-year coach Katie David reports that things are coming along pretty well for her players.
“We are finding our rhythm and what works best for us,” David said. “Our two senior post players, Caroline Hicks and LaShundra Gresham, are really stepping up for us and that has caused to change a few things early so that we can play them both at the same time a lot. We are still a long way off from completing our total package with offensive quick hitters and defensive looks as well, but we are trying to get really good at a few things before we implement a whole lot of different things that we are average at.”
Hicks and Gresham are two of the four returning seniors; the others are Abby Adams and Mikki McGinnis. Other returning players include juniors Keilee Smith, Taylor Patrick, Karla Dodd and Allison Edenfield.
David said that in the tournament opener against Lanier, her team would concentrate on executing what it does well.
“We are not focused on whether they are a new school or a young crowd as we know how tough our region is going to be,” she said. “We simply want to play crisp and execute different offensive and defensive looks without making mental mistakes and giving up easy baskets.”
David said she and her team know that early-season play is important for learning the specific things they need to focus on, as well as to play different lineups to see what works best.
“Obviously, we would like head into Thanksgiving 2-0 but as long as the team is making progress and growing, we can come into the early December with a drive to work on our weaknesses and maximize our strengths.”
For more on this story, see Wednesday's edition of The Commerce News or The Jackson Herald.
