BBALL: SG girls looking to repeat last year
Program history was made last season as the South Gibson girls basketball team reached the Class AA sectionals for the first time.
The Lady Hornets graduated three starters off last year’s team, but they still have the goal of playing for a spot in the state tournament.
“I do believe that we have the potential to do it again,” South Gibson coach Carla Wyatt said. “We are going to look different this year after losing Hope Neyman, so we are not going to have the inside play from her. But we are going to be faster.”
Neyman was named to the All-West Tennessee Second Team last year after averaging 16.6 pts, 8.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks.
But South Gibson has a new mindset that is ready to build a program that competes on a yearly basis.
“You have to build a winning mindset,” Wyatt said. “Whether you are playing Westview, in districts, in regions or in a sectional, you want that winning mentality regardless of the opponent.”
The Lady Hornets return two guards in seniors Christen King and Sarah Grace Scott, and they are experienced on the court.
Neyman won’t be a player easily replaced, but senior Tatum Russell and junior Rachel Hearn will try to bring their own strengths under the basket.
“We do expect great things from Russell as she had a great summer for us,” Wyatt said. “Hearn came in at the very end of summer camps, but she should be an impact off of the bench.
“As people take on new roles, they are going to have to step up and embrace them. Losing our leading scorer, we are going to have to have someone step up and score for us.”
Mark Wilkins is trying to create the same type of winning mindset on the boys’ side. Wilkins enters his second season in charge of the Hornets after finishing fifth in the district last year.
“This year I want to see that our team fully embraces our style of play,” Wilkins said. “They know me, and I know them. They know what practice is like and what game day feels like.
“We have to be confident in the right situations.”
Last year’s offense ran through the hands of Logan Dyess, but Dyess has graduated.
South Gibson will look to senior LaDarian McCurrie to run the offense as the point guard, with juniors Gabe Martin and Marshall Boyd also contributing.
“We are going to look a lot different this year,” Wilkins said. “We are going to spread it around, and we have a couple of guys that are ready to take on the responibility to score more.”
So time will tell if this program is ready to take the next step and earn a region tournament spot once again.
“The key for us will be to play our tempo and our style,” Wilkins said. “We want our identity to show working the ball around for a shot and playing tough defense. If we play that style, I feel confident that we can compete with anyone in our district.”
Michael Odom, 425-9754
South Gibson Hornets
Last year’s record/finish: 10-16 (3-7)/5th in District 13-AA
2 key returners: LaDarian McCurrie (PG); Gabe Martin (C)
2 key series: Crockett County (Jan. 17 at home; Feb. 3 on road); Milan (Jan. 10 on road; Jan. 27 at home)
South Gibson Lady Hornets
Last year’s record/finish: 22-9 (8-2)/2nd in District 13-AA
2 key returners: Christen King (G); Sarah Grace Scott (G)
2 key series: Westview (Jan. 13 at home; Jan. 31 on road); Dyersburg (Jan. 20 on road; Feb. 7 at home)