The Lookout Valley boys’ basketball team had been carrying a weight on their shoulders for quite some time: this weight being, the weight of not winning. The Yellowjackets had not gotten a win since the 21-22 season, piling up a loss total of 27 losses in a row. It has been a tough journey for the Jackets to say the least, but as of December 1st, the team has flipped the page and started a new chapter in their basketball program’s history book.
The long-awaited win for the Jackets finally came last Friday as they defeated Whitwell High School, 41-33. The team had worked hard to make this moment happen, and the head coach of the Jackets, Micheal Lane, will tell you they are more than deserving.
“Man, they just bought in. So, when I took over, they had won one game in three years, and it’s just the kids man. We have been putting a lot of emphasis on doing things right at everything other than basketball, taking care of our studies, believing, and buying into the culture, and I just think they’ve done a good job. Man, I was just so proud of them the other day, and they're kind of getting rewarded,” said coach Lane.
Coach Lane and all Yellowjacket fans have more than plenty to be proud of already this season and should be excited for what the future holds. The roster for Lookout Valley currently only holds one senior, meaning most players on coach Lane’s roster will be returning to play next season. This will give time for the roster they have to continue to gel together and improve together, as they continue to try to pick up more wins in the future.
Following Lookout Valley’s big win, they were back in action Monday night taking on the Chattanooga Prep Sentinels. And to say the least, they ran into a stout basketball team. The Sentinels played a high-level brand of defense, forcing multiple turnovers, and capitalizing on them by scoring in transition. They shared the ball well in the contest, and six of their players finished in double digits because of it. The Sentinels would walk away winning 102-33. And although this was a loss for the Yellowjackets, coach Lane believes there are more bright days ahead, just like the one last Friday night.
This is how coach Lane responded when asked where he saw the program being in a few years.
“You know I always believe when you take over and if you leave, you want things to be better than they were. So, the plan is just to focus on small details, we don’t even really talk a lot about winning and losing, we just focus on being better students, and preparing themselves for after their secondary educational experience. That’s what is important,” said coach Lane.
There is no doubt that coach Lane cares deeply for his players on and off the court. He and his Yellowjacket players will try to add another “W” to the win column when they take on the CSTHEA Patriots this Tuesday night.
LOOKOUT VALLEY 3 7 5 18 -- 33
CHATTANOOGA PREP 35 23 26 18 -- 102
LOOKOUT VALLEY (33) - Kendrick 3, Iziah Dorsey 11, Cooper 3, McBryar 7, Cooper 2, Miller 3, Frederick 2, Keef 2
CHATTANOOGA PREP (102) - Sutton 2, Cadence Collins 13, Turnbow 2, Ta’Suade Williams 19, Reginald Pillows 10, Jaydan Parker 17, Eli Gaines 13, Randolph 5, Derrick Roberson 18, Birt 3
3-point goals: Lookout Valley 3 (Cooper, McBryar, Dorsey); Chattanooga Prep 6 (Pillows 2, Collins, Williams, Gaines, Roberson)
Records: Lookout Valley 1-7, 0-0; Chattanooga Prep 3-2, 0-0.