By Hannah Helbert

With the most wins since 1999, the Patrick County High School Lady Cougar basketball season closes at 22-4.

The Lady Cougars were undefeated Piedmont District regular season and tournament champions. The season held many memorable moments for each of the players and Coach Donny Rakes said this of his favorites, “There are several. Beating teams that we have either never beaten as a program or has been several years probably top the list. Winning a regional game at home is another. Senior night was very special as well. A great send-off for our leaders.”

The Cougars will lose three seniors this season and will return a majority of the team next season.

Senior and point guard Autumn Hubbard had an outstanding career at PC. Coach Rakes added, “Autumn Hubbard will be impossible to replace. Simply one of the best players ever to play here”.

Next season the Lady Cougars will look to Izzy Beasley to bring the ball up the court. “Izzy Beasley will take over the majority of the ball handling responsibilities in the half court. Our style is to rebound the ball, go fast and share the ball. Therefore, several kids will have to step up to do all three,”  Rakes said.

He continued, “Autumn was that unique as a basketball player, she did all three for us. That’s rare in high school basketball. However, I am certain Izzy, Lindsey, and Hannah are very capable ball players. Those three’s work ethic during the coming months will tell us how good we can be”

Autumn Hubbard commented on her basketball career at PCHS. “My time here as a Lady Cougar was unbelievable,” she said. ” I wouldn’t have wanted to play for any other team, nor with any other girls than the teams I have played with. I couldn’t be happier with our record and the season we had this year. This team this year set a new standard for PC girls basketball, not only with being undefeated in the district but also going on to win the district championship, we also set a new standard with our work ethic and how we played as a team. It was hard for the season to end the way it did, but this team accomplished so many other things that we and the community can be proud of.”

Another standout player the Cougars will lose is post player Alexus Cain. “Alexus is one of my favorite players of all time. She is the player you don’t notice, and after the game she has 8-10 points, 8-10 rebounds, and leads the team in hustle plays. She will be missed,” said Rakes.

Cain contributed her success to hard work, dedication and the people who supported her. “I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for my teammates, coaches, supporters and fans. The coaches have taught me to chase my dreams and never give up. The fans and supporters have been there since day one and that means a lot to myself and teammates. The time they spent in the stands was dedicated to us and we couldn’t have done it without their presence,” Cain said.

The Lady Cougars still will stand strong in the post next year, with current freshmen Sierra Hubbard and Abby Dillion returning.

Rakes added this of the freshmen, “Our ‘Twin Towers’ as we like to call them will certainly be a vital part of h team next year. Sierra had a tremendous freshmen year leading the team in scoring and rebounding, while Abby progressed a bunch during the year and  was a real contributor the last half of the season. We will need them both to play well to be successful.”

The season did not end the way team had hoped, but there is great potential in next year’s team. Returner Lindsey Marshall, who was a tremendous advantage for PC defensively this season, said that this season only made her “really excited” for next season.

Rakes said, “Lindsey Marshall is a coach’s dream, always the first at practice and the last to leave. We put Lindsey on the other team’s best player every game to slow them down. I told her I didn’t care how much she scored, (and she is a very capable scorer) just shut the other team’s best player down. She did and that wins basketball games. Just a great person and will definitely be a leader on our team next year.”

As for next season expectations, this season has set the bar high and Rakes looks forward to the off season training.

“Each year is different. I really don’t know what the team will look like next year. I know we have the ingredients to be really good again. I also know we will lose three kids who are going to be impossible to replace. We have several very good basketball players returning, no question about it. The talent is there, but who will step up to be the leader, who will take their game to the next level this spring and summer? Very good basketball players are made during the spring and summer and fall. Their reward is in the winter,” said Rakes.

A big factor in the results of this season was team chemistry. The Lady Cougars showed time and time again this season how well they worked together and the success that comes from that chemistry. “Chemistry is a huge deal as well; this year was zero drama and a real team effort,” said Rakes.

As for the future, Cain and Hubbard both had advice for the team.

“Enjoy the time you have left and work hard every single practice. It will all pay off,” said Cain.

Hubbard added: “Make your senior year one you will never forget. Don’t back down from anyone; give it all you have to give every game. Don’t wait to it’s too late to step up and play your best game, start from the jump ball.”

This season was one for the record books. The Lady Cougars now look to train in order to prepare for next season.

Coach Rakes added, “The community and student body really got behind our team and I feel like it showed in the way the kids played. The radio station, the businesses, the students, the average fan, they all were involved in the success of this team. The girls and I will be so ever grateful.”

“None of us, coaches or players wanted this to end. The loss in the Regional semi-final was crushing to all of us, particularly the seniors. However, time will allow the kids to look back and be justifiably proud.”

“Time goes on, players and coaches come and go and there will always be another game and season to be played. But my kids, coaches, and I will always remember this year. It was quite the ride.”