Lady Eagles Hoop Past District

After receiving their District Champion title, the Lady Eagles will play against Franklin in the Bi-District Playoff Game next Monday in Leon at 6 p.m.

“The mental part of the game is so important in the playoffs. We have had a lot of success in the past few years, so we really have a target on our backs,” Girls’ Athletic Director Sally Whitaker said. “I believe this year’s team is ready for the challenge.”

The Lady Eagles are first in the District with a 12-0 record, hold an 11-win streak, and rank eighth in Division 3-A with an overall score of 27-5.

“We should have a great deal of confidence in our play,” coach Randy Barger said. “We think that we are confident that we will have a great start to this playoff, and be able to win.”

In securing their championship title, they defeated every school in the District: 55-33 over Teague, 55-12 over Buffalo, 43-31 over Mexia, 68-27 over Elkhart, and 73-22 over Westwood.

“Basketball is hard,” Whitaker said. “[They] have to be ready to face so many different situations within a game, and [they] also have to be able to move on after success and failure. This year’s team especially has grown so much as a team. They deserve to be as successful as they can.”

The District Champion team consists of freshmen Keke Alexander and Aaliyah Nash; sophomores Kole Brackens, Samone Garrett, and Jacelynn Schmidt; juniors Rhett Ralstin, Delaney McGowan, Kaylee Williams, Blayke Brackens; and seniors Jimilyah Nash, Addison Posey, and Jaci Abram. The team is led by their coaches Randy Barger, Sally Whitaker, Dennis Johnson, and Tarsha Graves.

“They love basketball,” Barger said. “Usually when you love something you commit more time and more energy into it, and then that turns into success individually and success as a team.”

Barger and Whitaker also earned a plaque for reaching 200 wins throughout their years of coaching basketball, a milestone that shows their commitment to not only the girls but the sport as a whole.