Theoretically, sub-varsity teams in athletics have the same purpose as the advancement through other educational levels and academic disciplines in a school system — sharpening individual skills to be successful and, if possible, developing winning attitudes to enhance the chance of producing or retaining a winning group dynamic. If this definition is true, the Georgetown Lady Eagles basketball program should receive an A-plus report card for its performance on the junior varsity and freshman levels. We know that in her 31 seasons at GHS, coach Rhonda Farney has taken teams to the University Interscholastic League state playoffs in 29 consecutive years and have posted 30 straight winning seasons.
This season, despite replacing two outstanding veteran assistant coaches, the Lady Eagles’ program produced a combined 38-0 record in District 18-5A competition. That’s perfect 12-0 marks on the varsity, junior varsity and freshman A levels. They were 2-0 on the freshman B plateau as only GHS and East View field teams on that level. When you take an in-depth look at what Kevin Spruill’s JV and the freshman under first-year mentors Katie Youngblood — an apparent Lady Eagle for life — and Tosha Doherty have accomplished is even more impressive. The JV was 25-2 on the year and the Freshman Blue was 24-2. Talent, the building of strong fundamental understanding of the sport, a culture of wanting to learn and improve, long hours of the staff and, at times, a lack of basketball sophistication on the lower levels of some rival programs have combined to produce this result.
If we breakdown the numbers, the Freshman Blue outscored their 12 district opponents 842-192 (an average of 54.4 points a game), holding seven opponents under 20 points seven times and to single digits four times. The most points allowed by the Blue was 30 points in the second meeting with Manor. The most points scored by the Blue was 85 in an 85-4 win over Bastrop Cedar Creek. As for the JV outscored its 18-5A foes 713-258 (an average of 37.9 points a game). allowing six opponents 20 points or less and two in single digits. The most points allowed in district was 38 in the season finale with East View. The highest point total was 76 in the second game with Cedar Creek.
“I’m so proud of what our JV and two freshman teams have accomplished,” Farney said. “We had a group of dedicated players and coaches. I don’t think peoples realize what our coaches have to do with their own teams along with working with the varsity. They also teach four classes a day. They get here a 6 a.m. and stay until all the work is completed, including scouting duties and games.”
Freshman coaches Youngblood and Doherty, who replacing veteran staffers Kristin Curtis and Kellye Richardson, came to the staff from different directions.
Youngblood played basketball for the Lady Eagles, graduating in 2012, and was president of the Lady Eagles Basketball Booster Club and working with the Little Dribblers. She left private business to join the staff this year.Doherty moved over to GHS after a stint coaching at Forbes Middle School. She played her high school ball at Tuscola Jim Ned, received here degrees from Texas Tech and was a graduate assistant at Wayland Baptist before coming to Georgetown in 2015.
Spruill, the son of long-time GHS soccer and volleyball coach Butch Spruill, is a Georgetown graduate and athlete, who graduated from Texas State University. He is in her 13th year at the GISD — 10 years on the boys athletic staff at Forbes and three with the Lady Eagles. “I’m extremely proud of this team,” Spruill said of his first JV team after working two seasons with the freshman. “We’ve had some rough spots along the way, but we’ve continually had different kids step up and contribute. We were able to finish the season with 23 consecutive victories — and that’s something special. It’s been special watching the kids continue to improve and grow into themselves.” One major thing that JV overcame was losing its point guard — junior Kylee Sander — to a varsity call up at mid season. She was one of three juniors that started on year on the JV along with team scoring leader Mercedes Robledo and guard Hailey Hanson. Sophomore making key contributions included post Lauren Woodard, post Vyctorya Lehr, 3-point ace Jordan Stout, forward Morgan Herring and guard Bailey Miller.Others on the JV roster were Reece Johnson, Grace Kearney, Natalie Hutchens, McKenna Johnson and Maddie LaCour. Lizette Rodriguez was the manager.
“When we started we knew we had a lot of talent,” Doherty said of the freshman talent pool. “They started the season strong and responded well to opponents and we knew we had an outstanding class. We got a chance to see the girls grow on and off the court, both physically and mentally as athletes and young women. You cannot ask for more throughout a season, and we are excited for what their futures hold. ” Except for health problems, the Freshman Blue roster was a bit more static with post Dylann Jones, post Brielle Maxwell, guard Ella Vickers, forward Kristen Lott and forward Lauren Cavanaugh. Others on the freshman rosters — both Blue and White — Samantha Folsom, Jacqui Spencer, Baylie Foster, Morgan Larson, Abigail Rutledge, Aryana Hill, Talaya Roston, Emma Miller, Kylie Neu, Sheila Lee, Emma Miller, Avery Tisdell and Emyris Mims. Mya Stoglin was the manager. The Freshmen White finished the season with a 10-5 record. As of this week, sub-varsity performers Woodard, Lehr and Jones have been moved up to the varsity for the playoffs.
Farney also had kind words for the work done by her middle school coaches — Nicole Zavala (Benold eighth grade), Samantha Mancinelli (Forbes eighth grade), Mitzi Hughey (Benold seventh grade) and Macey Hampton (Forbes seventh grade).
JUNIOR VARSITY
END OF SEASON ROSTER
No. — Name (Grade) Pos.
10 — Jordan Stout (soph.) G
14 — Bailey Miller (soph.) G
15 — Hailey Hanson (jr.) G
21 — Reece Johnson (soph.) G
23 — Grace Kearney (soph.) G
25 — Natalie Hutchens (soph.) G
30 — McKenna Jansen (soph.) P
32 — Vyctorya Lehr (soph.) P
33 — Mercedes Robledo (jr.) G
34 — Megan Herring (soph.) P
42 — Lauren Woodard (soph.) P
45 — Maddie LaCour (soph.) P
Coach: Kevin Spruill.
Manager: Lizette Rodriguez.
DISTRICT 18-5A GAME-BY-GAME RESULTS
(District record, 12-0)
Opponent Score
Bastrop 62-24
@ Elgin 58-13
Manor 57-24
@ Cedar Creek 73-13
Hutto 53-24
East View 46-18
@ Bastrop 65- 8
Elgin 55-16
@ Manor 64-33
Cedar Creek 76-19
@ Hutto 61-28
@ East View 43-38
TOTAL 713-258
FRESHMAN
COMBINED END OF SEASON ROSTER
No. — Name Pos.
10 — Kylie Neu G
12 — Samantha Folsom G
13 — Jacqui Spencer G
14 — Avery Tisdell G
15 — Ella Vickers G
20 — Kristen Lott F
24 — Morgan Larson G
25 — Lauren Cavanaugh F
32 — Sheila Lee P
33 — Brielle Maxwell P
34 — Abigail Rutledge G
35 — Aryana Hill F
40 — Talaya Rolston F
44 — Emma Miller F
45 — Emyris Mims P
52 — Baylie Foster G
54 — Dylann Jones P
Coaches: Tosha Doherty and Katie Youngblood.
Manager: Mya Stoglin.
FRESHMAN BLUE
DISTRICT 18-5A GAME-BY-GAME RESULTS
(District record, 12-0)
Opponent Score
Bastrop 81- 4
@ Elgin 78-23
Manor 74-23
@ Cedar Creek 85- 4
Hutto 73-19
East View 51-27
@ Bastrop 78-11
Elgin 74- 6
@ Manor 82-30
Cedar Creek 69- 6
@ Hutto 56-10
@ East View 41-29
TOTALS 842-192
FRESHMAN WHITE
DISTRICT 18-5A GAME-BY-GAME RESULTS
(District record, 2-0)
Opponent Score
East View 34-15
@ East View forfeit
NOTE — GHS at East View are the only two teams in District 18-5A with freshman B squads.