Sports - January 2004

Lady Knights find some success in 1st year

By JOHN MARK BROOKS, Staff Writer

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The North Lincoln Lady Knights are 3-10 on the season, but records can sometimes be deceiving.

Head coach Mark Lackey and his squad have been competitive in most and given themselves a chance to win in some.

“We have gotten better. Our record is modest right now, but of the 10 losses we’ve had, we’ve been actually in five of those games,” he said.

The Lady Knights are fresh off a 36-35 win over county rival Lincolnton. With wins comes more confidence.

Lackey, happy with his team’s recent success, feels that his team’s inexperience has been the culprit of several of the team’s losses.

“We have made mistakes in certain aspects of the game at different times that got us behind and we weren’t able to come back. I think our youth and lack of varsity experience has told on us at times,” he said.

Not everyone on his team is inexperienced on the court. Sophomore Caroline Farris and junior Sara McCall both gained valuable seasoning as members of the East Lincoln Mustangs last season. They were the only two that had previous varsity experience.

“Caroline is sort of our vocal leader as far being our motivator. Sara is our quiet leader who leads by example,” Lackey said.

Lackey believes that both players, along with Lindsey Smith and Jessie Devine are the heart and soul of his group.

“The experience they got last year really helped them. That’s sort of the nucleus of our team is their experience,” he said.

 Smith and Devine both started for East Lincoln’s Junior Varsity basketball team last season. Lackey says their dedication is what sets them apart.

“They both have a strong work ethic and that rubs off on their teammates. Their overall hustle is sort of inspiring to their younger teammates,” he said.

The four young women lead North Lincoln in nearly every statistical category— a fact not missed by their coach.

“All four of them (Farris, McCall, Smith and Devine) are my statistical leaders. They’re the people that we look to in clutch situations and to help pull us through offensively and defensively,” Lackey said.

Farris, McCall, Smith and Devine are the unquestioned leaders according to Lackey.

“The younger players look at those four as our go-to players and our emotional and vocal leaders,” he said.

Lone freshman Kathryn Thorne began the season as a reserve player, but now is one of Lackey’s starters. “Kathryn has worked her way into it (a starter’s role) and she’s caught on to our offenses and defenses real well and shoots about 60 percent from the field,” Lackey said.

Perhaps the most valuable member off the bench is Brittany Mabe. She’s been able to play several different positions for Lackey and given the team a great lift.

“Brittany has given me great minutes coming off the bench and has spelled as many as three different people in one game. That’s a big testament to B. Mabe,” Lackey said.

Lincolnton transfer Tyler Harrill and England Hager have been valuable post reserves for Lackey.

“Tyler has fit in like a jewel. She’s one of my top post reserves along with England,” Lackey said.

West Lincoln transfer Johnna Murtagh and Katie Zubko are coming along according to their coach.

“Katie and Johnna are making good strides. They’re still learning the system,” Lackey said.

Brittany Reel and Mabe are valuable providing a variety of services to the team off the bench.

“Brittany is cut from the same mold as Brittany Mabe. Both of them come in and give me time at the guard positions. They handle the ball, score some points and play good defense,” Lackey said.

Calah Bynum has missed about half of the Lady Knights games this season with a stress fracture in her foot. Her coach believes she’s healed well and is getting back to game speed.

“Calah missed six or seven games with it (the stress fracture). She’s becoming a good shooter and is just now getting back to form and into playing shape,” Lackey said.

Lackey believes that each young lady has been gaining one invaluable asset of late— confidence.

“Overall, down to each player on the team I think all 12 players are gaining a lot of confidence, from an individual aspect as well as a team aspect. I think it’s showing. The kids are seeing improvement and with improvement comes confidence,” he said.

The Lady Knights will try to parlay their new-found confidence into more wins proving that not all first year programs are easy wins.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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