Lady Eagles navigate change armed with youthful exuberance and strong passion

Despite facing a season of transition with a roster predominantly composed of freshmen and sophomores, the East Prairie girls’ basketball team is welcoming the opportunity to grow, learn, and forge lasting bonds.

While the path to victory may be challenging, the team’s boundless energy and commitment to personal growth promise an enriching experience that extends far beyond the scoreboard.

“I don’t feel like it’s the right time to place expectations since our personnel has changed dramatically since last season,” said East Prairie coach Scot Davis. “A strength of ours this season is our youth, as the majority of our team consists of freshmen and sophomores. The downside of that is the amount of inexperience that comes with being younger. But we are changing what we did last year to help accelerate our skill growth and understanding of the game.”

Despite the significant roster turnover, the Lady Eagles are fortunate to retain the experience of 5-foot-9-inch senior forward Lydia Valencia.

Valencia, a determined athlete with a fiery competitive spirit, averaged four points and 5.5 rebounds per game last season.

Her competitive drive and ability to impact the game on both ends of the court make her a valuable asset to the team, and her leadership and experience will be crucial in navigating a season of transition.

“Seeing [Valencia’s] improvement this summer carry over to games will be something to watch,” Davis said. “She has improved her overall game since last year. She used to be more on the interior for us, but this season she will be asked to do more with handling the ball and playing out on the wing more.”

Completing the Lady Eagles’ roster are a pair of upperclassmen and some newcomers who bring a blend of enthusiasm, talent, and determination to the team. Senior Kadyn Hall, junior Jayden Scorzafava, sophomores Madison Powers, Tyshanti Hollingworth, and Jarirah Mosley, freshmen Meashia Davis, Presley Williams, Liberty Bell, Emmalea Harper and Remi Cade are eager to make their mark on the court.

Cade, a key freshman contributor to the East Prairie volleyball team’s district championship game run, brings her athleticism and winning mentality to the basketball team, hoping to replicate the volleyball team’s overachieving success.

“We want to maximize our skill growth and understanding of the game throughout the season,” Davis concluded. “As well as seeing how our younger players improve.”

East Prairie opens its season by hosting Charleston (0-1) on Monday, Nov. 27.