GREENE COUNTY
Greene County girls’ basketball has made strides and found its footing after a rough start to the year.
The Lady Tigers started the season with an 0-6 record, but have won four of their last five games.
Greene County first-year head coach Steven Hopper thinks his girls are finally starting to put it together.
“The girls are starting to do what I have asked of them,” Hopper said. “I’ve got to give it to my players because they are very resilient. We started the season in a tumultuous fashion, to say the least.”
Hopper acknowledged the level of competition his team faced in the first six games of the season.
“When you’ve got to play Jones County, Oglethorpe County, and Bryan County, all established teams, you look up and realize they haven’t lost much since,” Hopper added. “We took some hard losses to tough teams. Surprisingly, Putnam County is way beyond where people expected them after losing their coach last year. Kudos to them. (Milfred) Franklin is doing a good job at Morgan (County). Kudos to them. So, we’ve lost some rough games to respectable programs this year.”
On Dec. 9, the Lady Tigers began region play and defeated Aquinas, 63-56. They followed that up with another league win against Washington-Wilkes, beating the Lady Tigers by a 37-point margin.
However, Greene County lost its first region game against Warren County 49-43 on Dec. 16. The Lady Tigers responded with two straight victories over GMC Prep (55-16) and Hancock Central (59-23).
Hopper highlighted that his team is now learning to win as a team and the games they’re favored in.
“We are 4-1 in (Class) A Division II. We should be 5-0 but lost the lead during the last minute against Warren County, but we’ve got to be disciplined enough to finish (the game), especially when you’re up by double-digits” Hopper said. “In our classification, we have done extremely well.”
The first-year head coach has seen a few players that have started to lead in the past few weeks.
Players such as Amauria West, Jardyn Wingfield, Erin Dixon, and Keiara Jernigan have stepped up.
Hopper explained that he needs these girls, and a few others, to keep growing as the season goes on.
“Osy (Amauria) West is developing into a good leader, and I’ve got multiple other girls playing strong basketball,” Hopper said. “Our post play under the basket, Keiara Jernigan and Erin Dixon, they’re playing great. The guards on the outside are playing well, too. They’re not overshooting the ball and they’re doing what I have asked them to do. We look solid on the defensive end and can score on offense. We’re doing well in our various presses as well. I have no qualms right now. We’re playing solid and the girls are coaching. We’re playing a lot of girls, too.”
Greene County will be competing in the 16th annual McDonald’s Shootout, held at Hart County High School this week. The Lady Tigers will play Wade Hampton out of Greeneville, South Carolina.
Greene County will resume its regular-season schedule next week, with a game at Trinity Prep in Loganville on Jan. 5. The Lady Tigers will then face region rival Lake Oconee Academy the next day.
Hopper believes his team is ready for the challenge of such a tough region slate down the stretch.
“I expect that we’re going to battle for a region championship,” Hopper said. “I truly believe that.”