Girls basketball looking for bounce-back season

by Jack Adair

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The Varsity girls' basketball team is looking for retribution this season, after a deep playoff run cut short by Victory Christian Center last season in the final four of the state tournament. The team is led by new head coach Willie McNair Jr., and on the court, the team is led by his daughter, junior point guard, Serenity McNair. McNair has had a very successful varsity career, as she scored 1,000 points by her sophomore year and lead the team last year in scoring and to the Final Four. She scored 21 points in the opening game this season in a dominating performance, as the Knights went on to win 63-21 against Cape Fear Academy.

Serenity is very excited about the season this year, she stated, “We have the highest skill level as a team we’ve had since I’ve been here. We are all eager to learn and we are ready to change the culture of Greenfield girls’ basketball.” This year's team is “younger” and “has bigger shoes to fill” than last year's team she said. This year she strives to become “more dependable” and an “advanced player who helps her team to play the best way possible.” The team also has some new additions this year.

Clara Graf is a transfer student from Germany and is mixing in with the varsity girls quite well. Clara scored 19 points in her first game as a Greenfield Knight this season. She must get used to some of the new rules that have surfaced as basketball in America and Germany are different in some ways, but she is determined to learn and grow as she says, “it is still basketball, and I will get used to everything soon.” Clara believes if the girls “stick together and work hard” they will have a successful season this year.

The Knights are also returning forward, Tori Coleman who has been injured since freshman year. She battled an ACL injury, dislocated shoulder, and post-concussion syndrome which all happened in the span of 2 years. She said her goals for the season are “to lead my team to states” and although it's been a struggle, she's “very excited to be back on the court this year.” We wish Tori a healthy year and that they all can accomplish their goals and have an outstanding season.