The Tupelo High School girls’ basketball team led by Matt Justice and assisted by PaShondra Edwards and Brenton Hadley is currently 16-10 as they enter the playoffs.  

During the time the players had to prepare for the current season they worked hard to build a bond with the new players and established a new sense of communication and teamwork with each other. 

“I feel like the newer players could play a big role in helping us, some could come off the bench and put in good minutes for us.” Senior point guard Sanyla Smith said.

With all the support and attention the girls’ basketball team has gotten over the last few years there have also been a lot of distractions on and off the court and the coaches have been working to keep the team focused on the game.

“With distractions, you just have to try to keep them locked in on the main goal and help them stay focused, most of that is trying to keep them in the gym as much as possible, talking to them whether that is in a group or individually that’s the main key,” assistant coach Edwards said.

Not only are the coaches working hard to keep players focused, but they are also working to keep players motivated when things don’t go the way they might have planned.

“After losing, you just try to point out all the positive things that we did and not harp on the negative things that way they don’t consume the players, and just stay positive,” Edwards said.

Some players nearing the end of their high school careers took this year as an opportunity to show college scouts that they are worthy to play at the next level.

“Oh, that scholarship was big to me. It just shows the work that I put in and the type of person I am” Junior guard Jade Rucker said.

One of the many reasons that the girls’ team has gotten so much attention is the players’ personalities and how they treat others within the school and outside of school.

“I think it’s the personalities of the athletes themselves that promote their athletics and their scale. And because of that, and who they are, they promote themselves.” Assistant Principal Adra Sparkman said.