Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Basketball season is just around the corner for the Bainbridge High School Lady Cats basketball team and excitement is at an all-time high for new head coach Danny Evans and his Lady Cats squad. Despite being one of the younger teams in the region, the Lady Cats know the talent they have and are excited to compete and build a foundation for what is to come.

The Lady Cats began practice a week ago and are preparing to head to Donalsonville on Thursday for a scrimmage before they kick off regular season play. With having a number of underclassmen, Coach Evans is looking to get his girls experience early on so they can learn and build chemistry from that.

“For us to grow we just have to play,” said Evans. “The more they play and play together the more camaraderie they will build. I believe we’re going to do a great job of building the sisterhood and that kind of foundation. But first we have to play games to get experience. That’s why I’m really excited for the scrimmage because once our girls get under the lights and the ball goes up in the air, the wheels will start turning.”

For the 2022-23 Lady Cats, the defense, shooting and point guards are the strengths that this team will look towards to give their oppositions a tough time. On top of those, the Lady Cats endurance and speed will be a tough test for other teams.

“I think we have a really strong defense,” said Evans. “We have a lot of point guards we can go to who can run the floor and make plays as well. We’re going to put a lot of defensive pressure on opposing teams the moment they step across half court throughout the entire game.”

Some players that Coach Evans and his team are really looking towards to make big plays and lead this team include their only senior point guard, Elexis Warner, shooting guard Zoe Wells, and sophomore Ahleah Jones who brings both shooting and defense to the Lady Cats squad.

“Elexis is our senior point guard. She knows the system, is a great shooter and we’re really looking for her to turn it on this season,” said Evans. “Zoe Wells is our shooting guard and she’s one of our best shooters. Ahlea Jones is a dog on defense, probably our best defender, and she has a good corner shot.”

In his first year at Bainbridge High School, Coach Evans philosophy is simple: dominate. Coach Evans and his staff know the talent they have with the Lady Cats and are excited to bring in a competitive nature to the program.

“Our goal is to dominate each opponent and win as many games as possible,” said Evans. “We want to leave no doubt on who the best team on the floor is each time we step on the court. Will it happen every time? Maybe not but at the same time that’s what we’re striving for. We want to instill that confidence in our girls.”

Coach Evans even went to the extent to get his girls shirts that say “Dominate 32 minutes” to represent their philosophy. For the 2022-23 Coach Evans’ goal is to check off each box in the winning category.

“Our first goal is to get better everyday and the second goal is to win the regular season championship,” said Evans. “Then after that our next goal is a playoff championship and ultimately make a run at the state championship. It’s our goal every year but it’s important for us to define and recognize the steps it takes to get there.”

The Lady Cats will travel to Thomasville on Friday, November 18 for their first regular season game of the season where they will take on Thomasville High School at 6:00 p.m.