Dodson Lady Coyotes Basketball

The Dodson Lady Coyotes made it to the Eastern Divisional Tournament for the second consecutive year, but the season ended on a bitter note as the team was knocked out after two games.

This year's team returns plenty of talent and there are a couple of newcomers that should help the team out tremendously. Though there are many returning, everyone will start with the basics.

"I'm a very fundamental coach," Coach Brandy Hunter told the PCN. "I firmly believe in them."

The team has been working on every basic facet of the game, from shooting to running.

"We were able to do two hour practices this year, which has been nice and it allows us an extra hour to get some free throw shooting in and work on our shot selection," Coach Hunter said, noting that last year's practices were an hour and a half.

The practices will be beneficial to all even the team's upperclassmen, which include juniors Serena Cuts The Rope and Shawnee KillEagle.

They hope to lead the team to the State Tournament this season, something that has been talked about since practice one.

"I tell the girls every year, if your goal is not the state tournament, then you need to think about why you're on this court because you need that shared goal with us," Coach Hunter said. "They're pretty excited."

Cuts The Rope, played during her freshmen year, but didn't play in her sophomore year.

"She's excited to be back on the court and it shows in the things that she's doing during practice," Coach Hunter said. "I think she'll bring a lot to our team."

KillEagle and sophomore Kyla Racine will likely be the team's two starting guards.

Sophomore Donna Dale had a solid season last year for Dodson.

"Donna did good things for us in tournaments last year," Coach Hunter said. "She did good all season but in the tournaments, she really stepped up and she was getting boards we really needed and played aggressive."

The team welcomes Christina Jaynes and Kailee Henry, two players that were key cogs in the junior high program.

"They're both good ball handlers, so they'll be good assets to our team also," Coach Hunter said.

The fact that they can dribble the ball out in space could usher them into the starting lineup.

"I've told my girls from day one, it doesn't matter if you're an eighth grader or a senior, you come out there and put in the work and bust your tail- you're going to get playing time," Coach Hunter said.

The team also welcomes newcoming freshmen Talyssa Horn, Tayana Horn, Laney Cole and Lanessa Janis.

Shontelle Talks Different was a force in the paint as well as a deep threat for Dodson last season. She will look to make an impact again this season.