Lady Tigers overcame odds this season

NEELYVILLE — With the odds stacked against them, the Neelyville Lady Tigers basketball squad achieved more than expected.

After moving into another district this season, the Lady Tigers would have their hands full with competing against tougher competition. But under the reigns of head coach Becky Hale, the Lady Tigers did the unexpected by winning the Class 2 District 2 championship and a spot in the state tournament.

Senior guard Layni Dobbins said accomplishing what the Lady Tigers did this season was an amazing feeling, and being able to prove people wrong about how good they would be was icing on the cake.

“This year has been an absolute dream come true,” Dobbins said. “Not only did we win the championship in an entirely new district, but we proved to ourselves that we were better than people gave us credit for. Walking into every game, knowing that everyone was waiting for us to slip up, gave us all the motivation we needed to prove them wrong. I feel amazing about our season. I’m sad we fell short in the sectional, but I can’t feel more blessed about the outcome of what we did this season.”

Besides proving others wrong, Dobbins said showing the little girls who look up to them what it means to battle as a team and family was the best feeling she could ask for to close out her last season.

The Lady Tigers finished with a 19-10 record and went down to the wire in the Class 2 Sectionals, where they lost in the final seconds 50-49. Despite the early exit from the state tournament, the Lady Tigers proved they could thrive in any situation, and the voters for postseason accolades also took notice.

Dobbins was named All-District and All-Conference, along with Jade Crosswhite, who was named All-Conference. Sophomore forward Parker Ernst received All-Conference, All-District and the honor of a Class 2 All-State player.

Ernst said it was a tough season all the way through, but there wasn’t anything they were not ready for.

“Everything we did as a team and individuals was a huge accomplishment,” Ernst said. “If you ask someone about this team, we weren’t supposed to win, let alone make it past the second round. We battled a lot of negativity this season, but I think we thrived off it. Overall, this was a great season, and though I’m only a sophomore, this will probably be one of the best seasons I’ll remember forever.”

Ernst said most of their best games came from tougher competition. If it wasn’t for the tough practices and long hours in the gym, she doesn’t believe they would have made it as far as they did. She said the Lady Tigers were looked at as underdogs whenever they played more talented teams, but they never allowed the negative to overcome them. In the end, Ernst said the postseason was more together than they ever had been all season, and she’s looking forward to what’s to come from the Lady Tigers.

With it being Dobbins’ last season, the Lady Tigers will require more leadership to guide the team, and Ernst will be one of the returners who’s up for the challenge. Ernst plans to stay in the gym this offseason as she looks to enhance her skills around the rim. As a player who dabbles in other sports, such as softball, Ernst said she plans to train and get better in both sports.

“I will be playing with a travel ball team for basketball during the summer,” Ernst said. “Other than that, I will be in the gym by myself or with my dad, doing all I can do to get better. I love basketball, but I also have a passion for softball, so I’ll be spending my time equally because both are important parts of me. I plan to play college ball, but I know I won’t be the biggest girl anymore, so I need to improve. I want to get a lot better with my ball handling and work on taking further shots than I’m used to. This offseason will be about getting better for myself and the Lady Tigers.”