The Laquey Lady Hornets may not be starting over. But many roles will have to be completely re-defined due to graduation losses.
The Lady Hornets lost three starters from last season’s squad, which finished 4-17 overall and finished seventh in the Frisco League with a 2-6 mark. And the bulk of last season’s offensive and defensive production must be replaced.
As a result, head coach Brittany Matlock must find new go-to players to build around.
“We graduated the majority of our scoring, rebounding, etc.,” said Matlock, entering her third season at Laquey but is a 22-year veteran on the bench who has amassed 200 career victories as a head coach. “We have some holes to fill. We have several returners from last year and the new ones are eager to learn and want to contribute. As we go into our third season together and continue to learn from each other and adjust to what the season brings, I’m excited about the possibilities.”
Of the returning starters, leading the way is junior Lyiah Thier. Among the others back from last season’s varsity mix are senior Trinity Harvey, junior Addaleigh Shubert and junior Rhylie Gayer. And returning to the rotation who Matlock hopes will boost things is senior Kaelyn Jones, who was sidelined last season due to a knee injury.
Thier is the top scorer back, having averaged 7.4 points and five rebounds a season ago. Also for Laquey, Harvey averaged 4.5 points and three rebounds, Shubert 3.0 points and three rebounds and Gayer 1.0 point and a rebound.
The leaders of the squad feel the Lady Hornets can round into a competitive unit.
“I feel extremely confident in this upcoming season with the girls,” Thier said. “I am expecting to do and see amazing things very soon.”
“I am very excited for the upcoming season,” Shubert said. “I think that every time we walk on the court there will be no doubt that we gave it our all and can’t wait to see what we accomplish.”
“I am very excited and I feel like we will have a solid team this season,” Harvey agreed.
“I am really looking forward to being back on the floor playing with my team again this season,” Jones said. “One thing about our team is that no matter who we are playing against, we play aggressive, bring intensity and always play with our hearts. This season will be no different.”
The Lady Hornets have three seniors from last season who have to be replaced in Saleena Stone, Madi Mattheis and Addison West.
West led the way last season, earning All-Frisco League, coaches all-district and media all-district honors after averaging 12.4 points and 11 rebounds while Stone averaged 6.6 points and 5.4 rebounds and Mattheis 1.4 points and 4.0 rebounds.
“They had been in the program for a long time,” Matlock said of last season’s seniors. “Each contributed in their own way to maintaining and exceeding standards/expectations of the program on and off the court.”
