Lake Oconee Academy girls’ basketball is ready for a new season with some new faces on the roster.
The Lady Titans finished last season 20-9 overall and were 10-2 in league play on their way to capturing another region title.
LOA coach Savannah Soles is ready for the season to start despite losing a few key seniors from last year.
“I’m really excited about this year,” Soles said. “I think we bring back a lot of experience, but then we have a lot of new faces, too.”
The Lady Titans’ biggest challenge this year will be finding someone to replace Georgia Bosart. Last season, she was the team’s leading scorer and played a big part in helping grow the program’s culture over the past four seasons.
“I think any time you lose an All-State point guard, it’s always hard to replace that,” Soles said.
Soles mentioned two players – junior Ansleigh Padgett and senior Briana Glave – who can make a difference.
“We’re going to have to rely on a couple of new faces to bring the ball up, whether that’s Ansley Padgett or Brianna Glave,” Soles said. “I think both of them can handle that responsibility.”
The team also lost Jane Monachello, a force on defense. Sole hopes senior Mary Claire McCommons and junior Laura Beth Harris can replace Monachello’s efforts this year.
“We’re going to miss Jane defensively, but we also get some of that back with Mary Claire McCommons and Beth Harris,” Soles said. “I’m hoping those two can keep that intense defense that Jane brought us. You miss those players, but these girls have been in the program long enough to know the expectations, so I think they’ll be ready.”
Soles has high expectations for this team, and its gritty nature is a key component.
“I want to see a lot of toughness from them,” she said. “Just coming in every day and playing our game and just competing.”
Over the past couple of years, the Lady Titans have been one of the best teams in Class A Division II, and their priority is to remain a force.
“Obviously, we want to do well in the region and qualify for the state tournament,” Soles said. “Our goal is to continue to be back in there and make another run at the region championship.”
LOA began its season on Nov. 14 with a 49-21 win over Westminster Christian of Watkinsville but lost to Oglethorpe County 44-36 a few days later.
“I think we’ll shock a lot of people, so I’m excited to see how they compete,” Soles said.