Lady Cougars Move to Season’s Second Half

The overall record for the Piedmont Academy varsity girls basketball team stands at 4-4 as the second half of the 2023-24 season arrives.

While not eye-catching, the record has been a result of an extremely tough schedule as well as an injury that has kept a key team member sidelined.

“When I scheduled the games for this season, I knew we’d have a rough road,” coach Michael Wilson said. “I just didn’t factor in injuries. My hope was for our younger players to gain experience against good teams and that we would be able to identify areas we need to improve in before region play came. I think both happened.”

The Lady Cougars have faced several quality foes from higher classifications in the GIAA as well as a matchup against a GHSA opponent.

“We were not very good defensively through the first six games,” Wilson said. “We blew double digit second half leads to Tattnall Square and Deerfield-Windsor as a result of some defensive breakdowns and turnovers. We’ve focused on these areas and are making strides in the right direction. We aren’t where we want to be but definitely trending in the right direction.”

Piedmont did earn wins against Robert Toombs (38-33) and Edmund Burke (53-46) in games during the holidays. A rematch with George Walton Academy, the defending GIAA Class AAAA champion, is sert for Saturday in Monroe at 3:30 p.m.

“I don’t think we’d have seen these issues if we had played a weaker schedule early on,” Wilson said. “Sarah Ellen Stroud and Taylor Jenkins have been baptized by fire and are improving and beginning to understand what we need from them on the court in order to continue having the success we have come to enjoy. It’s tough asking an eighth grader to handle the basketball late in games and for a freshman post to work against girls four years older and stronger they have and they’ve gotten better each game.”

With the Lady Cougars being a defending state champion, they have had to wear a bullseye on their back.

“I think other teams have done a really good job of defending what we were able to do so well last year,” Wilson said. “We are still scoring but at times it’s just been tough to watch. Kind of disjointed at times with us standing around way too much. As a result, we went back to the drawing board and are making some adjustments. We are still going to stay true to what we want to do in terms of pushing the tempo and shooting the three but we are going to try and add some wrinkles so the shots happen more easily. If we commit and trust and everyone does their job I think things will open up again for us. Right now, we are just having to work so hard on offense to score but that will change.”

With teams constantly focusing on stopping AA Player of the Year Marissa Holder, other players have stepped up for Piedmont.

“Bailey Mobley is finding her comfort level I think,” her coach said. “She’s doing a great job on the boards and in the middle on defense. If she keeps up on the offensive end as she has lately we are going to become a very efficient offensive team. Teagan Hinson is starting to get her confidence in games. I think with her it’s a combination of court time and me making sure she’s put in positions where she can be successful. She’s only played basketball for two years but she is a good shooter and has great length and can guard most teams top players. “

Others are contributing as well.

“Breck Piedra and Callie Branan have helped us with their minutes,” Wilson said. “Breck has done a good job filling in for Kylee Keck with her defense and playing her role. Callie was a huge factor in us winning state last year and she’s still recovering from a leg injury she got last spring so we’ve been taking it easy with her minutes but she’s getting there and she wants to get on the court and play and I’m ready for her. I just know she has one speed and I want to make sure she’s healthy in February. She’s a big part of what we do on defense and not having her and Kylee on the court has probably had a lot to do with our ineffectiveness on that end.”

Teagan Satterfield has also helped on the scoring end.

“Teagan has picked up some of the scoring that we miss with Kylee being out,” Wilson said. “Confidence is what drives her I think and getting her favorable matchups. I think with a player out it sometimes affects the on court chemistry and comfort but she’s adjusted and finding her groove. She’s an all-state player and having her on the court and playing with confidence is important.”

Holder is averaging 22 points, 10 rebounds and six assists per game. Wilson calls the junior the team’s “glue.”

“We are looking forward to getting Kylee back,” Wilson said. “We are fortunate to have three All-State guards because when they are on the court someone has a mismatch. When teams only have two to guard it makes it easier on their defense. Her energy and length add a dimension we are definitely missing. I also think it was important for them to feel what it’s like for each team we’ve played and how focused and badly they want to beat us this year. We have a target on us each time we step on the court and we need to start games and play each possession until the game is over.”

The extremely tough schedule should prove beneficial down the road.

“I’m pleased with where we are,” Wilson said. “The win-loss record in December has never been a concern of mine. I want to see what we do well and don’t do so well in games. Winning a game, or region or state title isn’t easy. You’ve got to work together every minute of the game. Each win is a challenge and each win is to be appreciated and hopefully that’s something else we’ve also learned.”