By Stephen Henderson
The Patrick County High School Lady Cougar basketball team opened its season Monday night with a road game to Franklin County High School. Friday, they will travel to Halifax County for another road game. Their first home game is Tuesday, December 6, against Christiansburg. Game time is 7 p.m.
The Lady Cougars scrimmaged Galax last week which gave Coach Mike Hedrick some insight into the upcoming Lady Cougar season.
“The team hasn’t figured out yet how hard I am really asking the players to play or how hard it is to win every single night. Once we figure that out, we will be in great shape to kick-start our defense which will kick start our offense to get where we want to be,” Hedrick said.
Hedrick said that the Lady Cougars struggled Monday night to realize that regardless of who we are playing, “we have to come in and in a sense ‘smack them in the mouth early’ and play off that. Once we figure that out, which does take time, we will be okay,” he said.
The Lady Cougar offense is a totally different plan that what they have run before.
“It is 180 degrees from what they have done from an offensive perspective and a defensive perspective and intensity level,” Hedrick said. “Some of the change is on them, but a lot of it is just getting used to it—you can’t blame them for that.”
The Lady Cougars have been conditioning in the off-season, and Hedrick said that most of the players are in the best condition they have ever been in. “Around Christmas time, they will be in the best shape they have ever been in and the best shape we want them to be in,” he said. “We are still working to get to that level.”
Alexis Cain made a strong impression on Hedrick during the scrimmage. “She gives us energy off the bench instantly which will be her role early on—the first one off the bench. If she keeps on progressing in practice like she has, she will be one of the
dark horses that we have on our team,” he added.
“Sydnee Burnette had some moments where I see she is starting to peak a little bit and reach her full level of potential. If she keeps on improving herself, I think she will have it,” he said.
Also, Autumn Hubbard has stepped up offensively. “She got us a bucket every single time we needed it and proved that she is ready to handle some of the responsibility that will be given to her offensively this year ,” Hedrick said.
