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With her team coming off a school record for victories and a Class 4A state semifinal finish, coach Emma Brooks’ message to the Bastrop Lady Rams has been both predictable and true. Basically, Brooks has stressed that last season is history and it’s going to take a lot of hard work for the Lady Rams to get back to where they want to be.
“One thing the young ladies have to understand is we have to look ahead, not behind,” coach Brooks said. “We need to pick up where we left off and not regress. We have to start out the season playing top basketball and get better instead of regressing to the point where we’re starting over. There are a lot of good teams out there and people are going to be gunning for us.”
Judging by their performance in two team camps this summer, the Lady Rams aren’t resting on the accolades of last season.
Following up a 5-0 record in the Louisiana Tech team camp, the Lady Rams went 7-0 at ULM’s camp.
At Tech, the Lady Rams defeated Menard, Pickering, Ruston, Spearsville and Caldwell Parish.
At ULM, the Lady Rams registered wins over Ouachita, Natchitoches Central, Carroll, Coushatta Riverdale, Fairview, Wossman and West Monroe.
Granted, these were summer games played with a running clock. Still, it’s hard not to be excited about going 12-0 against some quality competition. While the Tech camp featured a victory over District 3-4A co-champion and state quarterfinalist Ruston, the ULM camp boasted stellar opposition on a more consistent basis.
“The Ruston game was great for us,” coach Brooks said. “We played against some real good competition every time we stepped on the floor at ULM.”
Bastrop carried eight players to both camps. Returning starters Kari Payton, Sharnice Brooks and Rosa Bryant were joined by Precious Carson, Myeshia Brown, Desiree Wimberly, Keneshia Atkins and Kaya Robinson.
“I thought everybody gave everything they could possibly give at the two camps,” coach Brooks said. “Everybody definitely got playing time.”
Carson and Wimberly have taken over Shan Smith’s guard spot, joining Payton and Bryant in the backcourt. Brown is the leading candidate to replace Jade Benton at center.
“Myeshia is doing a good job,” coach Brooks said. “I’m looking for here to step up this fall.”
Of the eight Lady Rams in summer camp, all but Bryant and Kaya Robinson are seniors. Ladeshia Robinson, another senior expected to log significant minutes, is spending the summer in Texas.
With her team coming off a school record for victories and a Class 4A state semifinal finish, coach Emma Brooks’ message to the Bastrop Lady Rams has been both predictable and true. Basically, Brooks has stressed that last season is history and it’s going to take a lot of hard work for the Lady Rams to get back to where they want to be.
“One thing the young ladies have to understand is we have to look ahead, not behind,” coach Brooks said. “We need to pick up where we left off and not regress. We have to start out the season playing top basketball and get better instead of regressing to the point where we’re starting over. There are a lot of good teams out there and people are going to be gunning for us.”
Judging by their performance in two team camps this summer, the Lady Rams aren’t resting on the accolades of last season.
Following up a 5-0 record in the Louisiana Tech team camp, the Lady Rams went 7-0 at ULM’s camp.
At Tech, the Lady Rams defeated Menard, Pickering, Ruston, Spearsville and Caldwell Parish.
At ULM, the Lady Rams registered wins over Ouachita, Natchitoches Central, Carroll, Coushatta Riverdale, Fairview, Wossman and West Monroe.
Granted, these were summer games played with a running clock. Still, it’s hard not to be excited about going 12-0 against some quality competition. While the Tech camp featured a victory over District 3-4A co-champion and state quarterfinalist Ruston, the ULM camp boasted stellar opposition on a more consistent basis.
“The Ruston game was great for us,” coach Brooks said. “We played against some real good competition every time we stepped on the floor at ULM.”
Bastrop carried eight players to both camps. Returning starters Kari Payton, Sharnice Brooks and Rosa Bryant were joined by Precious Carson, Myeshia Brown, Desiree Wimberly, Keneshia Atkins and Kaya Robinson.
“I thought everybody gave everything they could possibly give at the two camps,” coach Brooks said. “Everybody definitely got playing time.”
Carson and Wimberly have taken over Shan Smith’s guard spot, joining Payton and Bryant in the backcourt. Brown is the leading candidate to replace Jade Benton at center.
“Myeshia is doing a good job,” coach Brooks said. “I’m looking for here to step up this fall.”
Of the eight Lady Rams in summer camp, all but Bryant and Kaya Robinson are seniors. Ladeshia Robinson, another senior expected to log significant minutes, is spending the summer in Texas.
“We have a senior-laden squad with seven seniors,” coach Brooks said. “The key is we have to play like seniors.”
Coach Brooks has high expectations for two seniors in particular. Payton averaged 16 points, 4 assists and 4 steals last season, while Sharnice Brooks added 15 points and 10 rebounds.
“I’m looking for Kari and Sharnice to lead this team,” coach Brooks said. “They have to make their presence known every time we hit the court.”
Bryant duplicated Payton’s production with 16 points, 4 assists and 4 steals.
“Those three young ladies (Payton, Sharnice Brooks and Bryant) are our nucleus,” coach Brooks said.
One area in which the Lady Rams are looking for substantial improvement is its bench. The starting five basically shouldered the entire load last season.
“That’s what we’ve been lacking — that sixth or seventh man to come off the bench and be able to contribute,” coach Brooks said. “I’m looking for young ladies to come off the bench and contribute to our success.”
Sure, there is work to be done between now and November. But after a successful summer, it’s hard for coach Brooks to hide her optimism for the season ahead.
“Our expectations are to do very well in the upcoming season,” coach Brooks said. “With the young ladies we have, we should be able to play some good basketball.”
