With all but one player returning from last year's team, Center Hill
girls basketball coach Jonathan Moore knew he had the making of a good
squad this year.
So as a way to maximize its talent early in the season, Moore didn't waste time playing a bunch of inferior competition. Instead, he loaded up on the heavyweights, lining up games against the likes of Mississippi Class 6A powers Horn Lake and Southaven, as well as other teams like Germantown and Booneville New Site.
Moore wanted his team to grow from playing stiff competition so that when tournament time rolled around, the Mustangs would be battle tested.
Center Hill is 21-5 and riding a nine-game winning streak as it wraps up the regular season this week. Last week, the Mustangs were ranked No. 10 in The Commercial Appeal's Dandy Dozen. But it took perfect team chemistry to get them to this point. Early in the season, despite playing tough competition, Center Hill had to overcome a rash of injuries.
First, there was Kiara Golden, who went down with a knee injury which forced her to miss about 10 games. Moore said.
"She's one of our better players, if not our best player," Moore said. "She's also our biggest fan. That was extremely important to our team for her to be on the sideline cheering everybody on."
Then, center Erin Cross missed time after being in a car accident. Twins Ciera and Courtney White also missed some games after being in a separate car accident.
Since starting the season 6-3, the Mustangs have gone 15-2. Moore believes his team is peaking at the right time, and it's come with improved play on the defensive end.
"I think defensively, we're really starting to figure some things out," he said. "Scoring is one thing, but getting everybody on the same page on the defensive end, that's where our strength is.
"Playing man-to-man better than everybody else is our philosophy. That's our goal and at this point in time, our kids are really stepping up and defending on the defensive end. If we do that, we can play with anybody."
Center Hill has been led by 5-11 senior co-captain Kaelin Kneeland, who is averaging 15.8 points and 10.1 rebounds. Fellow senior co-captain Ciera White is the team's glue, Moore said. She is averaging 7.3 points and 2.2 assists.
Three juniors, Marisa Knox, a transfer point guard from Memphis Central High School, Golden and Cross have also contributed heavily.
The Mustangs will open MHSAA Region 1-5A tournament play Tuesday against Lake Cormorant in Clarksdale.
"Right now is when you want to be playing your best ball and we are," Moore said. "If we stay humble and stay together, we've got a good chance to make a run."
So as a way to maximize its talent early in the season, Moore didn't waste time playing a bunch of inferior competition. Instead, he loaded up on the heavyweights, lining up games against the likes of Mississippi Class 6A powers Horn Lake and Southaven, as well as other teams like Germantown and Booneville New Site.
Moore wanted his team to grow from playing stiff competition so that when tournament time rolled around, the Mustangs would be battle tested.
"I challenged them and they did a real good job responding to that challenge," Moore said. "We beat some top-ranked teams and lost to some top-ranked teams. We're 6-0 in our district, district champs going into the tournament and looking forward to making a run."
Center Hill is 21-5 and riding a nine-game winning streak as it wraps up the regular season this week. Last week, the Mustangs were ranked No. 10 in The Commercial Appeal's Dandy Dozen. But it took perfect team chemistry to get them to this point. Early in the season, despite playing tough competition, Center Hill had to overcome a rash of injuries.
First, there was Kiara Golden, who went down with a knee injury which forced her to miss about 10 games. Moore said.
"She's one of our better players, if not our best player," Moore said. "She's also our biggest fan. That was extremely important to our team for her to be on the sideline cheering everybody on."
Then, center Erin Cross missed time after being in a car accident. Twins Ciera and Courtney White also missed some games after being in a separate car accident.
Since starting the season 6-3, the Mustangs have gone 15-2. Moore believes his team is peaking at the right time, and it's come with improved play on the defensive end.
"I think defensively, we're really starting to figure some things out," he said. "Scoring is one thing, but getting everybody on the same page on the defensive end, that's where our strength is.
"Playing man-to-man better than everybody else is our philosophy. That's our goal and at this point in time, our kids are really stepping up and defending on the defensive end. If we do that, we can play with anybody."
Center Hill has been led by 5-11 senior co-captain Kaelin Kneeland, who is averaging 15.8 points and 10.1 rebounds. Fellow senior co-captain Ciera White is the team's glue, Moore said. She is averaging 7.3 points and 2.2 assists.
Three juniors, Marisa Knox, a transfer point guard from Memphis Central High School, Golden and Cross have also contributed heavily.
The Mustangs will open MHSAA Region 1-5A tournament play Tuesday against Lake Cormorant in Clarksdale.
"Right now is when you want to be playing your best ball and we are," Moore said. "If we stay humble and stay together, we've got a good chance to make a run."
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