Lady Hawks prepare for state tournament
JACKSON, Tenn. — The sound of victory is a familiar ring to this hard-working team, and it’s something the Lady Hawks are hoping to hear again in these coming days.
“We don’t take it for granted. This is our third year in a row, so all these kids here, with the exception of our freshmen have been a part of this run before. But again, it’s always exciting to get this opportunity because we are one of eight teams still standing,” said Brent McNeal, Head Girls Basketball Coach for South Side.
South Side’s Lady Hawks first game in the TSSAA Class 3 state basketball tournament will be against the Lady trojans of Dyersburg.
“I feel very excited, I’m so ready to play. These days are going by so slow, and I’m just ready to play,” said Jaidynn Askins, a junior Lady Hawk at South Side.
Both Jaidynn Askins and Kimora Currie, a senior, have been around for the last three state tournaments and they had advice for their freshman teammates.
“I’ll tell them it’s okay to be nervous. I would tell them that there’s really nothing to be nervous about because they’re a high school team just like us, so it’s just another game– just go out, play your hardest, and then I’ll do the rest,” said Askins.
“I have told them every day this week: it’s okay to be nervous, but as soon as the horn goes off, it’s time to lock in,” said Kimora Currie, a Senior Lady Hawk at South Side.
Coach McNeal has been sharing these words of encouragement throughout the season.
“Just live in the moment, don’t try to get too high or don’t get too low. You have so many different things that go on throughout a season, injuries, illness, kids going in the slumps. So we just try to tell our kids to just stay within the moment,” said McNeal.
From staying in the moment to looking back at their last game Currie relives how she felt when they won.
“These young ladies know that it is my last year and the other seniors’ last year and for them to know that and to go out there and give it their all? It just shows so much. I’m shaking, I just can’t wait, but I am very thankful for them,” said Currie.
South Side Lady Hawks took to the road Wednesday morning, but they will soon be taking to the court with the support of the community back home.
Coach McNeal shared that you can share your support of the team on Facebook or stream the games online to watch.
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