HOOPS: Greenfield girls trying to climb 14-A ladder

After losing the majority of the 2014-15 team, there were some unknowns about Greenfield girls basketball last year.

But the Lady Yellowjackets finished second in District 14-A, and with all five starters back, this year’s team won’t surprise anyone.

“We are a year older, and the kids have games under their belt that they didn’t have last year,” Greenfield girls coach Willie Trevathan said. “We always internally believe that we can compete. If we do things right, we have a chance to compete.”

Trevathan feels his team continued the improvements made last year through the summer to get even better.

“The biggest area we have improved is getting a little stronger and a little faster,” he said. “One weakness we had last year is that we got pushed around some against the bigger, stronger teams. So we have worked on speed and agility drills. I would like to say that we are more physically ready for the season.”

But Trevathan and the other District 14-A coaches have little time to prepare for the tough district schedule. Teams can’t start practicing until next week, two weeks later they start playing and two weeks after that 14-A plays district games because of having nine teams.

“You have to make sure you are game ready in preseason,” Trevathan said. “We have to get on things early, whereas other district don’t start until after Christmas, so they have time to prepare.”

Greenfield will need to use its balance this year to be successful. The Lady Yellowjackets have five upperclassmen ready to fight for starting roles with senior Kyndal Wiley and juniors Anna Wright, Kinleigh Harris, Makayla Little and Bentley Gordon.

“We have to utilize our strength, which is balance,” Trevanthan said. “We have balance in scoring, defense and rebounding. Our kids have to buy into being balanced makes us competitive. We have to have team work and play for each other.”

The Greenfield boys also have a more experienced group this year.

“We finally have some games under our belt,” Greenfield boys coach Chad Levister said. “Last year’s sophomores are now juniors with a year more of experience.”

Greenfield will be led by their guard play with junior Levi Dees and sophomore Joshua Floyd. There is also senior Keaton Cook, who is in his fourth season as a starter.

“This group understands what we are trying to do better,” Levister said. “They have gotten stronger.”

Levister saw the potential this summer when the Yellowjackets picked up some wins in summer camps and were competitive in others.

“We have to play as a team and handle pressure,” Levister said. “We have to take of the ball if we want to be in most games.”

Michael Odom, 425-9754

Greenfield Yellowjackets

Last year’s record/finish: 4-21 (1-15)/9th in District 14-A

2 key returners: Levi Dees (G); Josh Floyd (PG)

2 key series: Gibson County (Dec. 13 at home; Jan. 24 on road); Lake County (Dec. 6 at home; Jan. 17 on road)

Greenfield Lady Yellowjackets

Last year’s record/finish: 18-11 (12-4)/2nd in District 14-A

2 key returners: Kyndal Wiley (G); Bentley Gordon (G)

2 key series: Trenton Peabody (Dec. 1 on road; Jan. 13 at home); Gibson County (Dec. 13 at home; Jan. 24 on road)