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Girls basketball: Lady Trojans looking for playoff appearance and then some
By Justin Thomas, jthomas@starlocalnews.com
With a versatile team that features nine seniors, Newman Smith's girls basketball team is hoping to not only qualify for the playoffs for just the second time in seven seasons, but potentially compete for the District 10-4A title in their first season under head coach Amanda Leader.
So far, the Lady Trojans (8-8) have faced the type of schedule that will prepare them for district, which includes the likes of Highland Park, West Mesquite and cross-town rival Creekview.
"We've been playing well," Leader said. "We've played a difficult schedule with some tougher teams on it and it has been preparing us. We won the consolation bracket at the Grand Prairie Tournament and won first at the Creekview Tournament."
"Those were tough games, but we competed well," Leader added. "We're almost into district and we're still getting better. We're learning how to win more of those games."
The process has been ramped up as a result of nine seniors on the roster, many of which have varsity experience.
"We only lost one senior to graduation," Leader said. "A lot of these girls have been playing together for a while now and we're hoping all the hard work they put in during the summer and fall will pay off. Our district opponents are very good, but we feel like we should make the playoffs and can compete to win the district.
"That's a goal that we set for ourselves and have talked about from the start."
On the court, the Lady Trojans should be a versatile group.
"We're very quick and athletic," Leader said. "Everybody can distribute and pass the ball. We have a good inside-outside game, but the thing I really love is our defense. We play great D and will get up and use the full court press."
While the Lady Trojans love to pick up the tempo, they are also comfortable in the half-court.
That starts with post Alexis Nezianya.
"She is our go-to player in the post," Leader said. "She leads us on the floor on both offense and defense. We love to dump the ball down to her in the post, but we also know that if it isn't there, she will kick it back out for an open shot."
Another key player up front is Faith Rolen, who will see time at both guard and forward.
"She is versatile and plays with a lot of confidence," Leader said. "She is kind of like the peace keeper on the floor and keeps everyone working together."
Guards with varsity experience include Jazmine Humble, Dasia Johnson and Dajia Styles.
"Jaz is as fast as lightning," Leader said. "She's returning from an injury and is back at 100 percent.
"Dasia is our primary point guard. She has great moves and can take the ball coast-to-coast. But I really like that she plays incredible defense. We've really had things distributed evenly so far."
Providing additional support inside are forwards Jackia Miles and Braulia Sellanes.
"Jackia is in her first season on varsity, but she has already shown she can be a double-figures scorer," Leader said. "They make us even more versatile. Sometimes we'll even run a four-guard offense, but it's really just situational. It helps to have posts that can rebound, outlet and go. But we're still learning how to adjust and pull in the reins when we need to."
Another area Leader would like to see improvement is with perimeter shooting.
"Our 3-point game has been lacking," she said. "We have to keep gaining confidence because it is really going to make it easier for us to pound the ball inside."
The squad is also focusing on improving at the free throw line.
"And turnovers of course," Leader added. "Sometimes we just go too fast and we have to work on that and on continuing to feed Alexis. We do a pretty good job of that, but sometimes we miss her down low."
If Smith can continue to make those improvements, a district title could be in their sites.
"We feel like we can hang," Leader said. "Right now, there are only three teams with winning records, so the district is looking a little top heavy. I'm not sure the competition everyone has played, but right now it is looking like three contenders and hopefully we can continue to be one of them."
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