2013-14 Cherokee Lady Braves varsity basketball team (left-right) – Kayla Pheasant, Le Le Lossiah, Kaycee Lossiah, Bree Jumper, Kendall Toineeta, Peri Wildcatt, Taran Swimmer, Avery Mintz, Miranda Smith, Ashlyn Spicer, Blake Wachacha, Julian Welch, Bree Stamper and Kierstyn Arch. (SCOTT MCKIE B.P./One Feather)
By SCOTT MCKIE B.P.
ONE FEATHER STAFF
The past two seasons, the Cherokee Lady Braves varsity basketball team has made it to the 1A West Regional Finals. This year, they are determined to go further.
So, the question was posed to the team…is this the year?
“If we come together and work as a team, it could be,” said senior Avery Mintz.
“I believe with some hard work and determination, it can be our year,” added junior Kendall Toineeta.
Taran Swimmer, a senior, commented, “We have a really good team this year, and if we can work together and help each other, then there is nothing we can’t do. It really depends on much we want it.”
Miranda Smith, also a senior, made no qualms about it, “Yes it is. This is a group of hard-working girls.”
Head coach Chris Mintz said, “We’ve been so close the last couple of years, and it’s been hard seeing them go on to the win the state championship every year, but this year we’ve got some good players returning and if we can stay healthy, we have a chance.”
He said the team has lofty goals, but they are going to take it game-to-game throughout the season. “Right now, we have some young players that we have to get to come along so we can compete better down the road.”
Coach Mintz said he tries to keep the focus on the game-to-game as it progresses through the season. “We try to set goals, and we’ve scheduled some tough competition early.”
The Lady Braves start their 2013-14 campaign at Rabun Gap (Ga.) on Tuesday, Nov. 19.
