Growth, mentally, physically Lady Bulldogs’ strength

In her inaugural year as Head Coach for the Fulton High School Lady Bulldogs’ basketball team, Head Coach Melissa Clark predicts a season of going “big in the paint”, with a group of players who have grown and matured physically and mentally.

Her roster includes returning juniors Tanashia Ferrell, Kyisha Everett, Kreshauna Johnson, Shamarra Kinney and Ca’Tya McManus, sophomores Takyra Taylor and Jasmine McCloyn, and freshmen Shaniya Yarbro, Brittany Maclin, Mia Martin and Lanya Littleton. There is one senior on the 2019-2020 Lady Bulldogs’ team, Jasmine Reeves.

“These girls have played together for a long time, so they are comfortable with each other,” Coach Clark said.

She sees a lot of strength in the junior class, with Shamarra Kinney having taken on a leadership role.

“Kinney gets the team ready, and tries to get control of the momentum,” she said.

The quickness and hustle exhibited by Kyisha Everett and Ca’Tya McManus’ defensive efforts as a “go-to guard” will help lay the foundation for the Lady Bulldogs, with Jasmine McCloyn and Brittany Maclin sharp shooters. Takyra Taylor will be counted on for some high performance in the paint this season as well, with the coach having observed growth and maturity on her part from last year.

Defensively, Jasmine Reeves, Clark believes will be utilized in a big way this season, and Mia Martin will see of a lot of court time in the paint.

Along with the advantage of team bonding, is also a weakness Clark has witnessed.

“They can encourage each other and really get in a positive frame of mind, but equally, if one of them gets down in a game, they all will go that way. It seems to be a mental thing, if we get behind, they seem to all get down. That’s something we are going to work on,” Coach Clark said.

In the District, Coach Clark figures on Hickman County to be a challenge for the Lady Bulldogs, with that team returning a number of starters.

“We won six-eight games last year....I want to see us actually have a winning record and be competitive in District play,” she said.

After having served as an assistant coach at Fulton High School during the 2018-2019 basketball season, Clark looks forward to getting off to a good start as Head Coach, assisted by Kenneth Irvine and Charlotte Johnson.

“We are going to have an event Nov. 22 at 6 p.m. here in the FHS gym, to kick off the basketball season and introduce our players. We would like to see a good crowd here that night to show support,” Coach Clark said.