Basketball Preview
Last year was a unique season plagued by the Coronavirus for the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Lady Bears. Of their 21 games played the Lady Bears only had two where they dressed all their players and eventually just missed making the playoffs.
Coach Eddie Michalko does have some good Lady Bears returning this year. Kaitlyn Ewing is back and is much improved from last season. Ewing is 5-7 and will play the post for the Lady Bears.
The tallest Lady Bear is Grace Huckaby, and she has improved every year for the coach. Mackenzie Clark is a junior who played quite a bit as a sophomore last season for Little Cypress-Mauriceville.
Alayna Booker is a senior who played a lot of minutes last year. Trinity West is playing a lot of minutes and appears to be healthy this season. Michalko said, “I have a lot of experienced girls, but still they’re having to learn to play together as far as the preseason before district.”
Most of the Lady Bears on the varsity saw playing time last season. Michalko will add one new player to this season’s Lady Bears varsity squad. Keylie Washburn, a freshman, has come in and really has played well. She has a lot of talent Michalko pointed out.
Washburn works really hard, is very respectful, and is such a good sport she quickly helps up opposing players she may knock to the court. “She has really had to step in and play a significant role so far this year,” Michalko advised.
The Little Cypress-Mauriceville Lady Bears are a work in progress according to Coach Michalko. Through their first thirteen games the Lady Bears were 8-5 heading to the start of district later in the week.
The district opener on December 10 is against the Silsbee Lady Tigers who were the district champs last season. Michalko believes the Lady Tigers could be better this year so the first district game will be a challenge.
Defensively the Lady Bears are playing solid. Offensively it has been hit or miss for the Lady Bears. Michalko analyzed, “Sometimes we look really great, and other times it’s where are we?”
The Lady Bears will be getting three transfers from Buna which Michalko hopes will make an impact in January. The trio show a lot of promise and ability that the coach is eager to see how those girls mesh with the other Lady Bears.
If Little Cypress-Mauriceville continues to improve, Coach Michalko believes the Lady Bears will have a great shot at making the playoffs and maybe even challenge for the district title. “With the group I have right now as long as they continue to play together we’ll just keep improving,” Michalko concluded.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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