Lady Wolves count on unity, leadership to rebuild

Since most of our girls have never played together, team chemistry and roles for players will be a work in progress early in the season.” BLAKE CONDLEY LAKE HAMILTON LADY WOLVES COACH

Though the Lake Hamilton Lady Wolves lost eight seniors and have only one returning starter this season, the team will look to Blake Condley, who has a 19-14 record from last season and five years as head coach, to guide them. “We have a totally different team this year,” Condley said. “We have four returning players, we graduated eight seniors and moved up eight sophomores to replace them, and we also have two seniors who moved into our district from other schools. Since most of our girls have never played together, team chemistry and roles for players will be a work in progress early in the season.” Returning starter Jenny Peake, who had 13 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists per game last year and was named all-state, is stepping up, Condley said. Nya Moody, who is “a good defender and rebounder and creates matchup problems with her versatility,” and Aspen Thornton, who “plays with a great pace and can score the ball really well,” are two more standout players who can help the team reach a new level of play and provide stability to the floor to help bring the team together, the coach said. The Lady Wolves also have “team speed and athleticism that is much better than in the past” on their side, and Condley said he looks forward to seeing how that will match up against the other 5A teams on the Lady Wolves’ schedule. “We have a tough schedule this year,” Condley said. “Our first games consist of Bryant, a good 6A opponent; Kirby, who always competes for the state championship in its classification; and Greenwood, a state finalist last year with almost every one of their players coming back.” The toughest opponents the Lady Wolves will face this season though, Condley said, are Lakeside and Hot Springs because “the kids all know each other very well and have grown up competing with each other. It makes a great atmosphere for basketball games.”