The Orangefield Lady Bobcats had another successful season with over 20 wins last year according to Coach Jennifer Willis. The Lady Bobcats were second in district and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Huntington. “We did have a pretty successful season with a lot of young children on varsity so we have most them back,” Willis recalled.
As Willis said she returns most of her “Girls” from last year’s team. At guard are Jacey Bourque, Faith Fregia, and Emmi Lummus all strong contributors. Other returnees include Lacy Leach, Jayme Deutsch, Macie Adrio, Tatum Garlington, Natalee Smith, and Kylie Elkins. The only new face on the varsity is freshman Joli Ponfick.
The Lady Bobcats should have great guard play this season. Lummus and Fregia will always be leaders on the floor. Bourque is averaging double digits scoring. Coming off the bench Leach, Adrio and Ponfick have contributed good numbers for Orangefield. Willis pointed out, “We have kids coming off the bench with double digits.”
With so many returners on the varsity Coach Willis can count on unity and team work being a vital part of this year’s Orangefield Lady Bobcats. Most of the Lady Bobcats have played together most of their life and with the last three seasons of having Willis as their coach they have consistency within the program.
The coach observed that the girls can make adjustments on their own with strong leadership on the floor no matter which lineup is playing. “It’s kind of nice to have the same team back,” Willis advised.
Orangefield has dropped in classification this season from 4-A to 3-A. That does not mean Willis has reduced the caliber of the Lady Bobcats non-district opponents. The coach has the Lady Bobcats playing bigger schools and teams that play fast. Early season losses were to Barbers Hill, Silsbee, and Tomball which was acceptable to Willis as Orangefield won seven of its first ten games.
A tough preseason includes the always difficult Lumberton Tournament where Orangefield finished with three wins and two losses. The Lady Bobcats will travel to the Aggie Land Tournament over the Christmas holidays. Willis predicted, “We’ll see some good play.”
The Lady Bobcats will then host the annual Bill Tennison Tournament which will lead up to the start of district play. Coach Willis gave her expectations for Orangefield during its first year in Class 3-A to include some tough games and will be no cakewalk. “It’s going to take hard work and the kids are up for it and they’re excited about it. It’s going to be tough, but hopefully we’ll end up with a winning record and a successful season,” Willis concluded.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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