Dragon Sports by Estelle Cottingham
Carroll Senior High School has a lot to be proud of this year whenbrit comes to its basketball teams — and the season hasn't even begun. Both boysbrand girls varsity teams are ready to protect the tradition and do what theybrlove — playing basketball.
The Dragon boys basketball team finished third in District 4-5A lastbryear, earning a playoff berth; but the team's previous season's success mattersbrlittle to the current lineup.
“Each team, each year, has to come up with its own identity,” saysbrCoach Eric McDade. “This year's team can't be last year's team.” Creating a newbrlegacy in 2013 through dominance on the court seems inevitable — every playerbron this team is playing for the community and for the love of the game.
The season begins Oct. 23, with the first officialbrafterschool practice and continues leading up to the first scrimmage Nov. 2.brMcDade, back for his second year after a 19–15 season, is excited to getbrstarted with his new team.
McDade utilizes rigorous training to help the team grow inbrovercoming challenges together, creating unity. Practices are demanding, andbrplayers are expected to perform at a high level no matter what the conditions. Thebrresults show in the high-energy practices during which all team members — bothbrunderclassmen and more experienced players — act in unison.
“The biggest teacher is experience itself,” McDade says. Thebrplayers are excited to show off their potential this year, promising abrsuccessful run to follow up on last year's stellar season.
Meanwhile, the Lady Dragon basketball team is here to defendbrtill the end, says Coach Teri Morrison. “They care more about the name on thebrfront of the jersey than the name on the back.”
The veteran coach says that with experienced players at everybrposition on the court, this team is ready to dominate its upcoming season. Lastbryear, the Lady Dragons went 23–10 and reached the Class 5A Region IbrQuarterfinals, but that kind of success isn't good enough for Coach Morrison's currentbrteam.
A key player in the Lady Dragons line-up is junior KennedybrLeonard, one of the top point guards in the state. Her playmaking ability andbrvarsity experience will help guide this year's team. Leonard won't be alone inbrleadership — she is just one of four returning starters — which only boostsbrexpectations. This team will be the best perimeter team to wear the green andbrwhite, Morrison says.
“One unique trait of the team is that the coaching staff doesn'tbrhave to teach the girls effort — it comes naturally to this fun, smart andbrgoofy group,” she explains. “They know what is important to them, and they arebrexcited to start a season where they can show our community just that.”
Both boys and girls varsity basketball teams are looking forwardbrto seeing plenty of fans packing the stands at the Carroll Senior High Schoolbrgym. The Lady Dragons' first home game is Nov. 5, and the Dragons' first homebrgame is Nov. 15.
Estelle Cottingham is a member of the Carroll Communications and Marketing Internship Program. Estelle is a sophomore at Carroll High School. She is the student council treasurer, a member of the National Charity League and a huge Texas Rangers fan.