James Clemens girls team growing up as basketball season moves along

HUNTSVILLE – Moving up from lower grades to play in Alabama’s biggest high school basketball division is obviously not easy, something some of the mostly-inexperienced James Clemens varsity girls are finding out.

But with a few upperclassmen shining light on the path forward, James Clemens is trying to get where they hope to go. The ride could be turbulent, but so far the Lady Jets haven’t been thrown too far off course.

Tuesday night, James Clemens took control early and routed host Grissom 48-29 in preparation for entry into Class 7A, Area 8 action beginning this weekend. The Lady Jets play at Florence Friday, then host Austin on Tuesday.

“I think we’re doing pretty good for what we have,” James Clemens head coach Monica Maxwell said. “We have a lot of young kids who are very inexperienced, who haven’t been on this stage and coming from middle school to 7A, I mean it’s obviously, it’s a huge move. It’s not like a little jump. It’s into the best, the biggest area in Alabama. So, I think with the inexperience, playing wise that they have, I think we’re working.’’

Against Grissom, Blaise Dixon led the way for the Lady Jets with 12 points. Breonn Holmes sank three 3-pointers, including one in the first quarter as James Clemens surged ahead 11-2 and another in the second as the lead grew to 22-10 at halftime. It was 36-15 entering the final stanza.

Sadie Sanderson led Grissom with 11 points.

“We’re gonna make mistakes, and I’ve harped on that a lot,’’ Maxwell said. “As long as we don’t make the same mistakes every game and we make less and less mistakes every game, I think we’re gonna be okay. But I’m I’m pretty happy with how we’re doing so far.’’

James Clemens has just three seniors – including returning Brooke McNeal and Jasmine Thomas and transfer Sarah Tieszen – and, as Maxwell said, “I couldn’t ask for better leaders.’’