Lady Hounds focus on basics to begin practice

HOOP HOUNDS

  • The Lady Greyhounds are in the second week of practice after being mostly focused on fundamentals last week. BRAD HARRISON/Staff
    The Lady Greyhounds are in the second week of practice after being mostly focused on fundamentals last week. BRAD HARRISON/Staff
  • JCHS is working to replace the void left by the loss of three starters from last year’s Sweet 16 team. BRAD HARRISON/Staff
    JCHS is working to replace the void left by the loss of three starters from last year’s Sweet 16 team. BRAD HARRISON/Staff

    The Lady Greyhounds, coming off a trip to the state tournament’s round of 16 a season ago, took a key first step in working toward matching if not exceeding that watermark last week with the official start of practice.

    Jones County has the task of replacing four key senior contributors, three of which were regular starters. Shakiya Betha, Kimmya Epps and Shania Bryant have graduated, as has Madison Maxwell. That means a solid group of upperclassmen as well as freshmen that logged critical minutes last season will have the expectation to step up.

    That includes seniors Britley Johnson and Amaris Ridgeway, as well as two freshmen, Aubrey Norris and Autumn Coleman.

    Overall, JCHS seems pleased with its start. Time is of the essence for the Lady Greyhounds. Both the Hounds and Lady Hounds open the season Nov. 9 at home against Cross Creek, followed by hosting the Hooping In Middle Georgia Tournament on Nov. 11.

    “It went good. We didn’t really put in a lot (of game plan work); we worked a lot of fundamentals,” Lady Greyhounds head coach ChoRhonda Gwaltney-Harris said. “This week will be learning week, and we’ll start putting plays in.”

    That competitive fire was evident last week, even with the first few days being focused on basics and fundamentals, according to the Lady Hounds head coach.

    “I think everyone is ready to go, this group is very competitive,” Gwaltney-Harris said. “When you’re going up and down the floor for two hours, kids get sore, but even when they’re sore, they’re trying to win at whatever they’re doing,” Gwaltney-Harris said.