Bluffton girls hoops hopes to build on success

A three-year playoff drought ended last year for the Bluffton High girls basketball team, and coach Lonnie Roberts is looking to build on that this season.

The Bobcats finished the year 9-14 overall, 5-3 in SCHSL Region 8-AAAA, and made their first playoff appearance since getting bumped up to Class AAAA in 2012.

"Last season, you know, it was a major task," Roberts said. "Getting bounced in the first round was a bit disappointing, but it was a first for that particular group as a team.

"For the ones that are returning, if they can kind of share with the players what they went through last year and the year before, I think we'll be OK."

This year's squad will be anchored by a group of seniors: Ebony Gadson, Tianna Donaldson, Hunter Homa and Ayanna Banks.

"I think that the one, probably the most vocal on the team is probably Tianna," Roberts said. "Tianna has all the qualities of being a real sound leader, and I think that's what we need.

"But she has to have that support from Hunter and Ebony, because sometimes she takes leadership to the limit, so to speak."

Roberts noted that, much like the boys team, the Bobcats' strength will revolve around the play of the guards. The Bobcats at times struggled with shooting and free throws last season.

"I think our strength here is going to be the guards," he said. "I think that we have the talent to actually do some things and do them well.

"It's just a matter of us leaving it on the floor. I think that strength will come in, and I think our shooting will be a lot better than it has in the past, and even our transition game. A noticeable difference, and the work we've put in."

Gadson said she feels the team has developed good on-court chemistry even before the season has begun.

"This season we're looking really good, and I think we're going to go far," she said. "There's a lot of chemistry starting off early, and I feel we have a lot to build off of.

 "There's not much animosity amongst the team, and we can work together. It looks good early on, and I'm just picturing how it will play out."

Roberts discussed the importance of guard play and described how the Bobcats will square off against opponents.

"At the guard position, we're definitely strong, and I feel that will take us over the top," he said.

"(It's going to be) man-to-man; we'd like to press a little more, and I think that's our M.O. I think we can be good at that, and be a team that can throw five players at you and throw another five at you. I think our speed of the game is going to dictate how well we frustrate our opponents."

Roster

Kennedy Barber So.

Xania Bryant Jr.

Tianna Donaldson Sr.

Hunter Homa Sr.

Judaah Mitchell So.

Katrine Jones Jr.

Diane Sargent Jr.

Ashlynn Harris Jr.

Lanitra Ferguson Jr.

Ebony Gadson Sr.

Ami Kuroda Jr.

Ayanna Banks Sr. 

Rachel Kader Jr.