The Federal Hocking High School Lady Lancers are ready for season. After spending weeks in the gym to prepare, they are prepped for the year. Specifically, the seniors want to make this year memorable.
“We’ve had pre-season training and conditioning, and have been going really hard at practice to push each other,” senior Audry Clingenpeel said.
Clingenpeel explained the team had spent most of the summer at open gyms conditioning to be in shape for season. Clingenpeel also said she has high hopes for her upcoming senior season.
“I think we will have an exciting season. We have some pretty tough games on our regular season schedule, but I think tournament time will be exciting.”
Senior Addison Jackson claimed she thinks they will only lose two to three games in their season, including out-of-conference games.
“Have fun, win the TVC title, and win regionals,” is Jackson’s motto.
She wants her last season to be memorable. She expects her teammates to work together, and most importantly, trust each other. Those things are important in the game of basketball: the two key things to achieve her goals. Clingenpeel added that she expects her teammates to make the season uplifting and to show up. She wants the team to be dedicated. That’s what brings the team together and makes things flow. Junior Juniper Ballew agreed on wanting to make the seniors last year significant. Ballew wants to make sure she does her part on helping the team out this year.
“My personal goals this year are to play good defense and be a consistent rebounder.”
After losing some members to the coaching staff, the girls have easily adjusted to the current coaching staff. Junior Takira Walker appreciates the newest addition to the coaching staff, Joe Mundy.
“He is always positive and helps you remember the little things,” Walker added.
Walker also adds her thoughts on her ‘favorite’ coach, John Burdette.
“He knows when and how to say stuff positively and points out the things we need to improve on.”
Overall, the girls are all appreciative of their coaching staff and believe they hold the girls accountable for what they know they are capable of. The seniors believe this is a good way of pushing them to do their best when their final season comes to an end.
“I wanna end with a good tournament run, and get as far as we can,” Clingenpeel stated. Regardless of their season record, both seniors, Jackson, and Clingenpeel both agree they want to end with a win. With that being said, both players are sad their high school basketball careers are coming to an end. Some of the best bonds and memories were created in their basketball career.
“I loved when my team was really close in middle school, and my favorite memory was when my teammate ran into the wall during an exercise to trust each other,” Jackson said.
She couldn’t just choose one. Jackson also loved when her team would do Secret Santa.
The seniors will definitely be missed. They have made a huge impact on their younger teammates that they won’t forget.
“Olivia, Addison, and Audry have had the biggest impact on me. They’re uplifting and make practice fun,” Walker added.
Losing their seniors will be tough, but Walker and Ballew believe in their team for the future. They think they can step up and fill in the spots of this year’s seniors to have a good season for their senior year.
“We will add banners to the gym,” Ballew claimed.
When you see the girls around, wish them good luck for their season!
