Rodney Wooters / Woo Doo Photo
Coaches at every level of basketball preach the importance of defense. Few teams actually execute it as well as Robyn McCoart’s Lady Dragons.
A perfect example came on Jan. 6 against district rival Keller Central.
After each made basket, Carroll unleashed a suffocating 1‑3‑1 press defense. The Lady Chargers rarely had a comfortable possession — their dribbles hurried, their passes contested, their rhythm disrupted. By halftime, Carroll led 33-7 en route to a lopsided 70-22 victory.
Yet, as effective as the press has been, that gameplan is just one tool in the Lady Dragon’s defensive arsenal. Carroll’s roster is so talented and disciplined they can switch between multiple schemes depending on the opponent, the pace of the game or specific matchups. The team’s depth, versatility and understanding of defensive principles allow them to thrive, holding opponents well under 30 points per game.
This brand of basketball, anchored in disruption and transition, helped propel the Lady Dragons to a top-ten state ranking, stunning opponents and delighting fans. What makes that accomplishment particularly noteworthy isn’t just the wins, but how they’ve been earned: through consistent execution and a culture that values effort above ego.
Balanced scoring and unshakeable chemistry
Carroll’s success isn’t built solely on its defense or even on a single scorer with flashy individual stats. Instead, it’s a balanced offensive attack that has made them difficult to prepare for on any given night.
Rodney Wooters / Woo Doo Photo
McCoart emphasized that her team adapts its defensive looks based on the opponent: sometimes a press, other times a matchup zone or traditional man‑to‑man. Against The Chargers, they leaned into that press with devastating effect, but it’s Carroll’s consistency across schemes that has made them so effective.
“Our chemistry is amazing. It starts with our four seniors,” McCoart said. “We don’t have any problems because our leadership doesn’t allow it. I always say: ‘on good teams, coaches hold players accountable. On great teams, players hold players accountable.’”
That leadership core, led by seniors Jillian Hall, Sahasra Kunam, Payton Lee and Olivia Porter, has grounded the team all season long. It’s a reminder that even amid high‑stakes competition, experience and buy‑in from a handful of veterans can shape a collective mindset. Those seniors have helped set expectations, maintained focus through adversity and ensured that every player understands her role.
The Lady Dragons’ dominance becomes even more impressive when viewed through the lens of how much the program had to replace just two seasons ago.
Coming off a 31–6 campaign and a fourth-round playoff run, Carroll entered last season facing a level of roster turnover that often derails even the most established programs.
In a single offseason, the team lost 82 percent of its offensive production along with much of its experienced depth. What remained was a roster short on varsity minutes and forced into unfamiliar roles almost overnight. The challenge was not simply replacing points on the scoreboard, but redefining the team’s identity from the ground up.
That reset demanded patience, vision and belief, and McCoart delivered all three. Rather than chasing quick fixes, the staff focused on development, accountability and defensive intensity, empowering players to grow into larger responsibilities. In remarkably little time, Carroll has transformed from a program in transition into one of the area’s most complete teams.
The result is a deeper, more balanced team that no longer relies on one dominant group, but instead thrives on versatility, shared responsibility and defensive cohesion — a transformation that has reshaped the program and fueled its current success.
At the head of the attack is junior guard Whitney Jense, who recently surpassed 1,000 career points as a Lady Dragon. Her ability to create shots for herself and her teammates, combined with her court awareness and defensive intensity, makes her a cornerstone of the team. Other players, like sophomore Angelina Bouley and junior Mattie Renda, have also stepped into key roles, contributing scoring, defensive energy and leadership that extend the team’s depth beyond the senior class. And Lee defends the opposition's top player every night, while routinely filling the box score to the tune of six points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals per game.
Beyond their balanced attack, the Lady Dragons have also emerged as a legitimate three-point shooting team. Multiple players have developed consistent outside strokes, which not only spread defenses but create opportunities for offensive rebounds and transition baskets. Through January, the Lady Dragons are averaging well over four made three-point shots per night. But Carroll’s approach isn’t simply about letting shooters fire indiscriminately; it’s about discipline, mechanics and understanding the moment.
“We definitely work on shooters having the correct form,” McCoart said. “I always say, outside of the mechanics, you have to put in the time and put in the reps. And if my players are putting in the reps, you’re never going to hear me say to a player ‘why did you shoot that?’ I played a lot myself and, trust me, you’re never going to be a good shooter if someone is telling you not to shoot.”
Success rooted in consistency
Even as the Lady Dragons opened the season 20–0, McCoart admitted she didn’t anticipate this level of dominance, but said the work her players put in speaks for itself.
“We just trust the process,” she said. “We show up every day, we grind every day. If you’re consistent, and if me and my staff are consistent and don’t ever lower our standards, we’re going to reach our ceiling. We’ve had several close games that we’ve found a way to come out on top. I think that goes back to our chemistry.”
That trust has paid off not just in wins, but in dominance. Their undefeated run included key wins over district competitors, games where the Lady Dragons held opponents under 30 points repeatedly and performances that blended sharp offense with disruptive defense.
Carroll was beaten handily by eventual state champion Boswell in last year’s bi-district playoff round. That disappointing loss, and subsequent end to the season, seems to have been put to bed. The Lady Dragons are an absolute state title contender in Class 6A, finishing the season ranked among the top teams in the Dallas–Fort Worth area with a 30-1 record.
That sort of success requires not just talent, but an unshakeable belief in the process McCoart and her staff have instilled.
“It’s been a really fun season so far, and I’m not just saying that,” McCoart said of this year’s group. “This is a legitimately fun team to be around. I’ve heard coaches that are winning but they say they are miserable. We haven’t had any issues all year. It’s been awesome. Parents, families, girls, everyone is buying into their roles.”
That combination of discipline, joy and mutual trust may be the Lady Dragons’ greatest strength. With the playoffs beginning this week, Carroll’s balanced approach could make deep playoff runs feel less like a surprise and more like the natural outcome of hard work and clear identity.