News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Livingston Academy girls’ basketball team started conditioning this week and their senior leaderships said they see potential in this year’s roster.
Seniors Mallie Carwile and Ellie Butler are in their last seasons of basketball after joining the team in 9th grade. Butler said she feels good physically and mentally a month out from opening night and noted what she believes will be a factor in this season.
“I think we will really excel in all aspects,” Butler said. “Because really everything I think that’s considered going on in basketball is just having the heart for the game and just the love for it. And I really think in all aspects of the game we’ll do great at.”
Coming off of a disappointing senior volleyball campaign, Carwile said she is excited to start her last basketball season. She said that this year’s roster is a tight knit group that does not hold back.
“If we’re not liking somebody’s attitude, we can kind of tell them how we feel and say our piece and let it go,” Carwile said. “Before we would never have been able to say that to anybody. So, it’s just nice to be able to be relaxed but also be confident in somebody and what they do.”
Carwile said that the ability to be honest with each other will be a strength for this team this season. With conditioning in full swing, she said that this year the Wildcats are doing things a little differently.
“While we’re running this year, we normally haven’t done this in the past, but we’re also weight lifting,” Carwile said. “It gets pretty rough, especially when you hit legs. But, we just push through and it ends up being worth it because we’re getting stronger but we’re also getting faster at the same time.”
Butler said that with opening night just under a month away, she is filled with nervous energy. Last year, Butler averaged around 20 points a game and will be looked upon again this year as an offensive catalyst.
She said her coaches have talked to the seniors and gave them advice on how to approach their last season.
“They’ve told us the best thing to do is just be a great leader and all that stuff,” Butler said. “But just overall, to play hard and play your game.”
The Lady Wildcats open their season against Soddy Daisy November 19th, tip-off at 6pm.
