Lady Trojans have successful summer
Published 9:13 pm Thursday, June 28, 2018
The Charles Henderson Lady Trojan basketball team, fresh off their 2017-2018 state championship, finished off summer camp this week.
The Trojans had a historic season in 2017, they finished off a goal that was five-years in the making by winning their first-ever state championship. During their three-week-long camp, head coach Dyneshia Jones and the Lady Trojans got back to work.
“It went well,” Jones said. “I am proud of the girls. We have two more young girls on the team. We lost some to graduation and one girl moved. We are hard as coaches, but I think we did better than I expected us to do.”
The Trojans normally participate in summer tournaments and showcases. This year was no different, as they spent the majority of the summer competing in Huntsville. The Trojans lost just one game over their two-week schedule.
“We went to Huntsville and competed in different events,” Jones said. “We went to Birmingham and we went to Florida. We traveled some to play. We played only one game at home.”
Last summer, the Trojans were coming off a gut-wrenching loss in the state championship to Wenonah. Although they accomplished their goal of a championship last year, the team attacked the summer with the same hunger as they did a year ago.
“It’s the same,” Jones said. “Once we got the trophy, it was time to start another season. That was 2017 and 2018. Now we have to work on 2018-2019. They are hungry.”
The Trojans did have some excitement this summer. Rising senior Maori Davenport was selected to play for the 2018 U18 National Team.
“She isn’t going to leave until July 20,” Jones said. “She will be playing in AAU games coming up soon. It’s a great accomplishment. We are making history in Troy. The first championship and then they invited Maori to tryout. They called her to tell her that she made it. That’s history and she deserves it. I am very excited for her. Not everybody makes that team.”
Although there are no official games to be won or lost this summer, Jones had a goal in mind for her team.
“Summer time lets us know what we need to work on until the season starts,” Jones said. “Every year is a new group. We have people coming in and people leaving. (It) lets us know what style of play we are going to have this year.”
With the two-week-long summer schedule now complete, the Trojans will focus on getting stronger in the weight room.”