by Matt Wright
The Lady Lions had a very successful 2019-2020 basketball season. Led by a veteran group playing their 3rd season together, the results showed on the court with a strong showing in the municipal basketball league. In fact, it was the the most successful season in LMPS history, when the ladies earned the #1 seed in Group A at the Municipal Tournament. There they faced Arlington Middle in the first game of the tournament and defeated them by a score of 32-20 but ended up losing a close game to West Collierville in the semi finals.
Coach Candice McGuire said, “This year’s team was led by five amazing 8th graders, Carley Brock, Allie Bryan, Julia Hardee, Kaitlyn Kerchoff, & Maya McCreary. 3 of them, Brock, Bryan, & Hardee, built the program beginning as 6th graders when LMPS opened in 2017.”
Another honor for the season, Kayla Taylor was selected to the Municipal Schools All-Tournament team. Taylor averaged 8 1/2 rebounds, 9 1/2 points, 1 assist, and 1 steal per game.
Coach McGuire also bragged on the JV team (made up of 6th and 7th grade players). “The Lady Lions JV team also had a wonderful season! They went undefeated in league play! The team fell in a heartbreaker to Collierville Middle JV in the championship game.”
Hard Work
Coach McGuire bragged on the work ethic of the girls this season saying, “I am so proud of this group of young ladies! They put in 6 to 7-day weeks for almost 4 straight months. Showing up for themselves and their team day after day. It has been such a pleasure to be a part of their basketball journeys and their lives. I’m proud of the players they are, but more importantly, the young ladies they are becoming. I will miss this group of 8th graders but I can’t wait to watch them as they go onto the next step of their career.”
Looking Forward
Now that the season is over, the basketball staff is already planning for next season. “As we begin to plan for next season, the team will utilize our allotted days in May for practices, giving any rising 6th, 7th, or 8th grade ladies interested in playing for the Lady Lions next fall the opportunity to come out & see how our program runs. The team will attend a team camp at Arlington this summer as well as regular strength & conditioning days and open gym opportunities throughout the summer” Coach McGuire said. Already thinking about another productive season next year she added, “I’m excited as we look forward to next season with the girls we have returning.”
