RIDGELAND LADY PANTHERS
FULL COURT PRESS with Ridgeland head coach Michael Baker
Now that this year’s team is a year older, what do you think are reasonable goals and expectations for them this year?
More than anything this year, I just want them to go out and compete every single game. We want them to go out and play with tenacity and with fire in their bellies.
Talk about the efforts being made in the offseason by the local community to build up girls’ basketball at Ridgeland.
We have really gained the support of many community members and I think that is because we are working with our community. Our recreation programs team up with us and we want to continue to work with them in every way that we can. We have held free youth nights in the summer and had a great turnout each week.
Our players are buying in and our community seems to be buying in as well.
Many people have stepped up to coach and train our girls when we cannot. That has helped us tremendously. Now we have to show them that our hard work and their support has paid off.
What is the strength of this year’s team, or what do you think it will be by the time the season gets into region play?
The strength of this team will be its family mentality. They have been through a lot together and they’ve always kept fighting. Many of them have been playing basketball through the spring, summer and fall. They have really grown together and really seem to be a more cohesive group. I am very proud of all the hard work they have put in.
What is the key or keys to this season?
I think the keys for us this year will be to reduce turnovers and increase our scoring. Every coach would probably say that about their team, but for us it’s a must.