November 14, 2017
The squeak of new basketball shoes on the hardwood floors. The smell of fresh rubber wafting from the new Spalding balls. The flitting nervous looks each player shares with one another.
It’s the beginning of basketball. The best time of the year.
Senior and 3-year starter for the Lady Pirates, Tyra Brown said she gets excited about tryouts and the start of a new season.
“I’m always excited for the beginning of the season because playing basketball is fun,” she said. “We also got a good group of girls this year.”
The Lady Pirates haven’t won a district championship since 2014, but center Essance Williams hopes to change that. With the team that assistant coach Corey Lewis is helping guide, it might be possible.
“We have a pretty strong team this year,” Lewis said. “I think we got a good chance at districts.”
But Brown has her eyes on more.
“There’s nobody in our conference that’s better than us, so we’re getting district champs this year for sure.”
As for the boys’ team, new Pattonville student and senior Darion Shields said he is ready for the season.
“I am pretty excited for the line-up we have this year,” he said. “I’m going to help push them to become better players, and they’re going to help me as well.”
Last year, Pattonville’s varsity boys’ team made it to District championship but lost two key players from that squad because of graduation. Destan Williams was ranked No. 21 in the state for scoring and Richard Henderson was No. 25 in blocks.
Losing two strong players and many other seniors, the Pattonville boys are looking at a possibly completely different team.
And they still haven’t been able to figure out the complete roster.
Derrick Boyce, a starter on last year’s team, hasn’t been able to step on the court yet because the football team has been playing deep into the state championship run.
“We have a lot of potential as a young team that hasn’t played together.”
Coach Kelly Thames is having to wait until the football season is complete to see what he will have to work with this year.
“I’m unsure just what to say about our new team since football is still in playoffs and some players still need to try out, but I know we have a lot of potential.”
The Pirates football team plays Fort Zumwalt North on Saturday, Nov. 18, at 1 p.m. for a chance to play in the state championship game the following Saturday.
Your donation will support the student journalists of Pattonville High School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase new equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.