With basketball season in progress, the White Station Women’s Basketball team is hopeful to progress to state under the guidance of Coach Tommy Warren. The ladies are in full throttle, with a few committing to future colleges along the way.
Predicted number one in the 16AAA district for the 2016-2017 season, the Women’s Basketball team has a packed year ahead of them. Competing against other top three predicted schools, such as Central and Whitehaven, the girls have to work hard toward having the opportunity to play in the state tournament. Coach Warren, with 18 years of coaching under his belt, prepares the girls for what is to come.
“In my opinion, the girls fought harder than the guys did on the athletic venue,” Warren said.
“They have this fiery spirit, and they compete at a different level that most people just don’t understand.”
This team is a family. They push each other and get on each other, but at the end of the day, they are there to encourage one another to strive for greatness. The mindset of being a family on and off the court contributes to the success of the team by bringing them closer together and improving communication.
“The way that they care for each other like sisters,” Warren said. “That’s the same mentality that they take in practice and in the game.”
Four girls have already committed to further their basketball career into college including Damiah Griffin (12), Zaire Hicks (12), Teal Battle (12), and Taylor Williams (12). Griffin and Hicks have signed to University of Tennessee at Martin, and Battle has signed to University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Every player’s dream is to win that final game, and this is no different for Williams. Playing basketball since she was seven-years-old, she loves the game she plays. She has committed to Mississippi Valley State to further herself in basketball, but is first focusing on her goals this season.
“I want to be the first girl poster up [on the Senior Gym wall] to win state,” Williams said. “I want to have a state ring. I want to win district, sub state, regionals. I want to win everything.”
Brittni Moore (11), a player since fifth grade, also hopes to win this season alongside her teammates. With offers from colleges such as Austin Peay University and University of North Florida, Moore hasn’t yet decided where she wants to commit, but looks forward to the opportunity to continue playing.
Sometimes an athlete’s favorite part of playing is not just winning, but being with their teammates. With Moore, this is true. She loves the time she gets to spend on and off the court with her team, listening to music before games and helping each other succeed.
Moore lives by the quote, “The dream is free, but the hustle is sold separately.” She knows she must continue working hard to achieve her goals by pushing herself.
The Lady Spartans don’t stop for anybody. Their work ethic, team mentality and communication will help them prevail to the state tournament this year.
Focus. Train hard. Play hard. The team is hopeful this season to succeed.
“Focus on the fundamentals and play some basketball,” Williams said.