New coach counts on team chemistry and practice for Lady Red Devils’ success
First-year Augusta Lady Red Devils coach Joy Bigham steps in to, hopefully, lead her 1A-5 Conference team through a winning season. Last year’s team racked up a 14-6 overall record, with 8-6 in conference play, and made it to the first round of the playoffs, losing 53-61 to Nemo Vista. With four returning starters this season, prospects look good for the Lady Red Devils.
Bigham said returning starters include juniors MaKensea Durham, 5-6, at wing; Skylar Chapple, 5-11, at post; and Jalyssa Thomas, 5-11, at athletic post/power forward. The sole senior returning starter is 5-8 Celeste Laird at guard.
“I really expect MaKensea to step up and be the leader and keep them in the system,” the coach said. “She’s got a lot of basketball savvy.”
The coach named Thomas as the team’s best inside player, “one who is an aggressive rebounder, a high-percentage shot maker and a team player.” As best outside player, Durham is “a solid ball handler who possesses a strong basketball IQ and is physical on offense and defense,” Bigham said.
“Skylar Chapple is another post player,” the coach said. She also mentioned junior Sadi Coyle, who “will be a good relief player and has good ball-handling skills,” and junior Brandy Reeder. Bigham said sophomore Maliya Brown is an accomplished athlete who didn’t play basketball last year, but she won the state decathlon as a ninth-grader.
The coach said team strengths include the players’ competitive spirit and their history as teammates.
“This team has a strong desire to win,” she said. “Many of them have played together since elementary school, so they know each other very well. They are not afraid to be physical. They are quick in transitions and know their roles. They are not selfish players, and they are naturally athletic.”
Bigham cited a lack of consistency in coaching, conditioning and depth as the team’s weaknesses.
“They didn’t have a lot of structured practices in the past,” Bigham said. Currently, the team is practicing during eighth-hour basketball and two days a week after school. She said that after football season — her husband is the head football coach — the team will start staying three or four days a week after school.
‘They need a lot of ball-handling practice,” Bigham said. “The work ethic is what they lack.” She said if the team can develop consistency, have structure and practice, they will have a good season.
Regarding college prospects, the coach said Durham and Thomas are interested in playing at the next level, and Celeste Laird, who intends to pursue a degree in the health care field at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, could play basketball in college if she wants to.
Bigham said the Red Devils’ first game will be Nov. 14 against Palestine-Wheatley.
“It will be a good first game to see where we stand,” she said.
The coach listed Bradford, the Lady Red Devils’ closest rival, as a game to watch this season, but named Clarendon and Brinkley as Augusta’s toughest opponents.
“Overall, I expect this team to play with heart and determination,” Bigham said. “They will be in better shape than in the past. Their teamwork and communication will be greatly improved, and that will translate to more success.”