Lady Generals eyeing successful 2018 season
It was just five years ago that the Heritage Lady Generals crashed the Class AAAA state playoff party, winning a region title and making a run all the way to the state semifinals.
All of the players on that team have since moved on and despite Heritage winning another region crown as recently as 2016, no other Lady Generals’ squad has been able to match that type of run in the state tournament.
But that all could change in 2018.
Armed with a roster loaded with talent and experience, head coach Desiree Robinson thinks the best could be just on the horizon for the Navy-and-Red.
“I’ve told them multiple times that this is their season,” Robinson said. “It’s time for them to step up and do more than they’ve done in the past three years. We’ve been region champs before and I think we can go even beyond that.
Heritage went 11-31 a year ago, finishing second in the region before an openinground loss to North Oconee. However, Robinson is hoping a senior-heavy lineup will be enough to get her team over the hump.
“One of the main strengths is that we have 10 seniors this year,” she added. “I’ve seen a lot of them play for three years now. I’m anticipating our best season, at least in the past four years. I think we should definitely go pretty far this season.”
Sydney Rogers will start out in the center of the defense but has the talent to play multiple positions. Hannah Colston has battled some injuries in the past, but is looking for a healthy season playing on the outside in the midfield. Finley Brisendine will play in the center of the midfield, as will Caylee Carpenter. Both have excellent footwork and field vision.
On the outside of the defense is Bryce McDaniel, who Robinson called “a brick wall”. Sydnee Newton will anchor the defense at keeper, while her twin sister Kynsee Newton, will play on the
Madi Phillips, Mary Ownby and Lily Green had four points each in the loss. Grayson Broadrick and Annika Green had three points each, while Lexie Asher had one point.
“We really played well, but our lack of height kept us away from the basket and we weren’t hitting outside shots,” head coach Kraig Givens lamented. “Our defense was really good, but we just couldn’t handle their three posts that were bigger than any of ours.”