Future is bright
Joe Gregory has drawn admiration from several coaches from around the state for the job he’s done at Mills since he became the head coach in 2021.
After the Lady Comets went 0-18 in his first season, Gregory guided Mills to an 11-18 mark last season. The transformation process has continued in Year 3, and the results have been even more impressive.
The Lady Comets are 12-9 and are tied for fourth place in the 4A-8 Conference following an exciting 49-45 victory over Stuttgart on Wednesday. The 12 wins are the most for the team since 2007. Mills went a combined 16-98 during the five seasons before Gregory arrived.
This year, he’s been able to get a lot out of a team dominated by youth. He’s starting two freshmen in Ma’Kenzie King and Jermera Streets and three sophomores — Jeneva Gregory, Ambreal Tenner, Kendillie Warren. But all have important roles, which is why the Lady Comets have been able to compete consistently.
“I’ve only got two seniors,” Gregory said in reference to Juell Phillips and Maytianna Everhart, who both see action as well. “But it was tough early because with the young ones, that group has never really played together. Of course, the returning players from last year have played, but the two freshmen that came in and Tenner … they just came right on into the mix.
“But the thing about it, Jeneva and [Tenner] played AAU together, and Streets and King have been playing together since they were in elementary [school]. So it’s been about getting the chemistry to work together and making it into one.”
Those connections were key against Stuttgart. The Lady Comets rallied from a nine-point, second-half deficit to pick up one of their biggest wins of the season. Mills will have another test today when it hosts Star City. The Lady Comets upset the Lady Bulldogs 51-49 on Jan. 9.
“I’m looking for them to build on that chemistry, looking for more toughness,” Gregory said of his team. “The biggest thing I’m trying to develop with them is consistency because it’s going to make us a lot better. Communication is key, too, and if I can get them to talk on the court on offense and defense and stay consistent with it, we’ll be a dangerous team.”