On Monday night at Eatonton, the Gatewood girls' basketball team earned a solid win over John Hancock Academy.
The Lady Gators, coming off a 68-16 loss at Athens Christian late last month in their 2024-25 season opener, prevailed 58-31 over the Lady Rebels from nearby Sparta.
In his second game as the Lady Gators’ new head coach, Ferdinand Farley Jr. said his players “moved the ball really well,” but need to improve their in-game communication.
“We need to work on talking a little bit more. We got to talk to each other, communicating all through the game,” Farley said. “I’m huge on talking and communicating. We want to make sure that we keep everybody on the floor engaged in the game, but on the bench, too.”
With only one senior, Sarah Mansfield, on the team this year, Farley recognizes leadership from returning juniors, including Riley Roberts, Lily Huskins, Ellie McMillian, and Natalie Sills, who will also be crucial to success. Sophomores Lauren Paxson and Avery Hill and freshmen Bela Smith, Carly Hall, and Braylee Atkinson round out the Lady Gators’ roster.
“Overall, with the girls, they come to the gym and they work,” Farley said. “We still need to clean up a little stuff execution-wise around the basket, but I told them we’re going to be okay. We’re good.”