Depth, consistency are keys for Lady Golden Tigers
After making an appearance in the playoffs in a subregion game a year ago, Russellville girls basketball head coach Jermaine Groce and his staff are optimistic the Lady Golden Tigers can build off that success – and possibly secure a trip to the regional tournament as well.
Groce will have plenty of experience to work with, including a trio of players he is excited to see take the next step.
Junior guard Ella Copeland, who paced the Lady Golden Tigers offense with 18 points per game, is returning and will lead Groce’s squad on both ends of the court. Sophomore guard Angeleah Smith and the team’s lone senior, center Laila Hill, will be back in starting roles and expected to play key minutes. Groce said both Smith and Hill averaged a double-double last season.
“She (Copeland) has a lot of experience, and she’s been on varsity with us for several years. Her leadership, vision and her ability to get into the lane are going to help us a lot,” Groce said. “Angeleah can shoot the lights out of the gym and that twoguard tandem is going to create problems for other teams. Hill’s ability to rebound and control the paint is going to be huge for us as well,” the head coach added.
Those three players have wasted no time in picking up where they left off last season, as in the season-opening win over Decatur, Copeland, Smith and Hill combined for 62 points.
Other veteran players Groce said will play a key part this year are sophomore guard Sadie Odom and junior forward Alexia Groce.
The key to building on last season’s achievements, Groce said, will be ensuring his team has enough depth to stay consistent and competitive for the entire game.
“We really worked this offseason on growing our depth, and we brought on some girls that can really help us defensively if we’re in a bind,” he said.
“We’ve got a tough opening schedule, so our girls are going to be tested, but we like the challenge,” Groce said.
In a three-team area consisting of West Point and Lawrence County, the margin of error is very small. However, Groce said he is hopeful that playing a tougher schedule will benefit his players when area tournament time rolls around.
“We want to be challenged early before we get into area play. That way we could compete for or win the area tournament this year,” Groce said.
