Lady Blue Jays unveil aggressive style to build winning culture

After four consecutive losing seasons, the Charleston girls’ basketball team is determined to turn the page and establish a new chapter of success.

With a renewed focus on fundamentals, teamwork, and a relentless work ethic, the Lady Blue Jays are looking to establish the building blocks for a brighter future on the court.

“I am excited to keep laying the foundation for future success,” said Charleston coach Josh Thompson. “Our program isn’t where we want it to be in terms of winning and losing but I feel like we play hard most of the time. That is the first and hardest step to building a program but I feel like we are on the right track.”

The Lady Blue Jays are embracing an aggressive, uptempo style of basketball, aiming to disrupt their opponents with relentless defensive pressure and convert turnovers into easy layups.

This fast-paced approach capitalizes on the team’s athleticism and creates a dynamic and exciting brand of basketball.

However, the loss of their two primary ball-handlers and scorers from last season poses a significant challenge.

Finding ways to move the ball effectively and consistently will be crucial for the team to execute its high-pressure style and achieve its goals.

“We have numerous girls who can be able to do these things,” Thompson said. “It is just going to take repetition and confidence from them.”

Anchoring the Charleston Blue Jays’ roster are three experienced players who are ready to step up and lead the team.

Senior Lilly Johnson brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the table, while junior Treasure Kimble and sophomore Daniyah Thomas possess the athleticism and potential to make significant contributions.

Despite their relatively modest scoring averages last season, Kimble and Thomas are eager to showcase their growth and development, and their contributions will be crucial to the team’s success.

“We expect to continue to get better this year,” Thompson said. “We know as a team, we are not where we want to be right now. However, good teams should get better as the season progresses and we hope to be playing our best during the district tournament.”

Charleston kicked off their season with a challenging matchup against Bloomfield with Richland (1-0), falling 62-16 on Nov. 17.

Despite the setback, the team remains undeterred and is eager to bounce back in their upcoming game at East Prairie (0-0) on Monday, November 27.