Basketball
Tough competition ahead for Lady Jackets
By Jememy Hite, Yapper sports editor
Nov 16, 2005 - 1:50:00 PM

The Lady Jacket Varsity basketball team looks to establish new leaders on an inexperienced squad.

"In preparation I'm hoping to see leaders step up and players competiting for spots on all our teams," coach Mitzi Marquart said.

The Lady Jackets are returning just three players, including senior Macoyia Malone, Janaye Richardson and Elizabeth Mandich.

"Early on we will miss our graduating seniors. Their experience and leadership has to be replaced by new leaders and different players stepping up," she said.

Cleburne will face multiple tests both in preparation and in competition.

"It will be tough making the transition from the other sports into basketball," Marquart said. "Deciding on who plays on what team in the short time we have before the first game is going to be difficult."

Leaders are needed if the Lady Jackets want to compete in a district with teams like Stephenville, Aledo and Mineral Wells. Getting enough experience early will be the key for the team to learn and grow.

"We need to play tough competition throughout our preseason schedule," Marquart said. "A tough schedule will, we hope, help us improve in order to compete for a district title, with such strong teams."

Players said the feel things are working in their favor, so far.

"The whole team is really working hard and really making up for everyone we lost," senior Janaye Richardson said.

The Lady Jackets opened the season with a less than stellar performance against Granbury. Marquart said this is part of the tough preseason schedule that the Lady Jackets need. The proof of this strategy will be seen later in the season.