2018-2019 Girls Basketball Preview

MADISON- For both Bob Jones and James Clemens girls’ basketball teams, the newest season of action is long overdue with aspirations to be better. For both Sparkman and Madison Academy, renewing the success of a year ago is the goal with the Lady Mustangs looking to defend its Class 4A state title while the Lady Senators look to advance past their semi-final loss with their sights set on carrying on the Sparkman legacy.

MADISON ACADEMY-

The Lady Mustangs (29-7) won the Class 4A state championship with a 56-43 win versus Deshler under first-year head coach Alissa Hargett and without a single senior. Hargett returns with a star-studded lineup including Jaden Langford (G, 5-8, Jr.), Damayla Calvert (G, 5-8, Sr.) and Jasmine Gracie (F, 6-1, Sr.). Former All-State performer Destinee McGhee (C, 6-2, Jr.) returns to the Mustangs lineup after playing for the Mustangs as a freshman and then James Clemens last season before transferring back to Madison Academy for this year’s campaign.

“I think we’re ready to defend our title as we have everybody back on our team from last year and having Destinee back with us as she will be a really good post presence and should be really exciting to see how she blends in with our team,” said Langford, an All-State selection last season.

The Mustangs move up in classification to Class 5A and with the move comes the situation where the squad will be facing new and unknown opponents, many of which comes from schools which are much larger in student population. Despite the student pool the Mustangs have to choose from, the talent level is high and the expectations match.

“We are willing to work hard and listen to our coaches as we move into the new classification,” said Gracie. “You will see our team with a lot of skill and a lot of heart as we spread out the skill set among us. We realize teams are out to get us, but we’re confident, but not cocky.”

SPARKMAN-

A one point loss to McGill-Toolen in the state semi-finals last season is a memory each of the returning players at Sparkman (29-6) have and want to erase with an even better season in 2018-2019. Longtime head coach Patrick Delay looks for the experience factor to be a jumpstart to a successful campaign.

“We have a ton of experience with nine seniors, three juniors and one sophomore ready to go for us,” said Delay. “Four of the nine seniors have played varsity for us since they were freshmen.”

Key players include senior guards Deyana Dodd (11.9 points average last year), who was the team’s leading scorer, T.J. Webster (7 points) and Deserea Walker (9.7 points). The Sparkman program has become a winning machine and with a long tradition of success.

“Many of us have played together since we were five years old and the chemistry is already there and that’s where it all starts,” said Dodd. “We have a lot of great players that played in front of us and we look up to and want to continue to win just they have.”

“We all work together we want to make sure we get back to state this year and that makes us work harder and makes us better,” said Walker. “Our main key will be our hustle up and down the court with great defense. We’re quicker than most teams we play.”

BOB JONES-

The Lady Patriots are looking to improve on a very disappointing season of a year ago (2-26) and their mindset is one of being better in every facet of the game.

“We are determined to be better,” said fifth year head coach Andre Reynolds. “We will regroup, rebuild and renew.”

Key players returning for Bob Jones, which has just a lone senior on the roster in Carolyn Lee (C, 6-0, Sr.), include Sydney Rasberry (G/F, 6-0, Jr.), who popped in 9 points and pulled down 6 rebounds last season, Deja Guinn (PG, 5-6, Jr.) with 8 points and 4 rebounds per game, and Kamryn Knight (PF/C, 6-0, So.) who pulled down 7 rebounds per outing.

“The bond within our team is much stronger than it was last year and that bond will bring us victories,” said Rasberry.

“We are still trying to find our identity with three new players on the team and getting them to blend in with our retuning players,” said Reynolds. “Our maturity has been great and it’s like a light bulb that twinkles a little bit. I see the light. This team doesn’t have an option. We have to improve.”

“This team will be defensively minded and our mindset is positive already this season,” said Knight. “We all will push each other. As a team we are closer and play together.”

JAMES CLEMENS-

The Lady Jets of James Clemens are rebuilding from the top. Capriee Tucker joins the program after Amber Deline vacated the position after four years. The Jets were 18-9 last season and return a good nucleus of players with three seniors and juniors and a list of six sophomores on the roster.

Tucker brings a new mindset and work ethic to the program and the players have responded in a very positive way. “Definitely defense, that’s something we didn’t concentrate on last year and she is bringing defense to us and is drilling that into us,” said Bria Junerick (F, Sr.). “When you’ve been taught something for so long and it becomes a habit, we need to break the bad habits and I think we’ll get there.”

“Our offense will start with better decisions and not turn the ball over,” said Reagan Williams (G, Sr.). “This is a new program and is really exciting to concentrate on defense especially with the team speed we have.”

Taikaishis Grandberry (G, Sr.) said the team is dedicated to face to new changes. She added, “We push through any changes and could certainly give our team many changes that our opponents may not know. We are very energetic and high-speed.”

Tucker is also looking toward sophomore newcomer Makiyah Parker who is expected to add flare to the already exciting team roster. She’s excited about taking this team and reworking the flavor of the style of play.

“We will have a lot of up-tempo and in your face style of play, though we will not be a high-powered offensive team as we’ll concentrate on defense and these girls have bought into that already and I’m really grateful for that,” said Tucker. “I’m trying to make them understand how important making stops are and make defense a beautiful thing. I have length, quickness and intelligent players and hope the translation to the court will make for success.”