New coach brings optimism to Lady Hawks
A new coach takes the reins for the Clinton Middle School girls basketball team, and Jason Love, a former assistant at the school, brings high hopes with him.
“We just finished the Education Foundation Tournament, and we beat Lake City and Norris,” said Love, a former football and basketball player at Hardin Valley Academy who went on to play football at Maryville College.
“That was big for us. I can’t remember the last time we beat Norris.”
“We’re going to finish above average,” he said. “We’re learning to compete, and we’re going to win some games. We want to finish in the top half of the district, and we’re going to shock a lot of people.”
The Lady Hawks defeated the Lady Senators 38-26 to win the Education Foundation Tournament.
Love said he’s been pleased with Clinton during the preseason and summer workouts.
“The girls practice hard every day,” he said. “They want to work. They love being in the gym, and we’ve been watching a lot of film and breaking down a lot of stats.”
The Lady Hawks had a break from games after winning the tournament on Saturday, but they’ll open league play Monday night at home against Union Grove. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m.
Clinton has four returners back from last season. The veterans include Anslee Carmichael (eighth-grade guard and team captain), Mia Jennings (eighth-grade guard and captain), Emma Branam (eighth-grade guard), and Kailyn Martin (seventh-grade forward).
Key newcomers are Tora Beeler (seventh-grade point guard), Caroline Jones (seventh-grade center), Myla Queener (seventh-grade guard), Raelyn Britton (seventh-grade guard), and Shelby Carroll (seventh-grade forward/center).
