FCHS Lady Pilots attitude, mindset assets this season

November 22, 2021

by Mark Collier

Pictured are, front row, left to right, JaMesha Brown, De’Ayria Kinney, Ta’Kyiah McNeal, Charmaine Buntyn, Ja Vona Davis; back row, Assistant Coach LaVetta Lockridge, Hannah Murphy, Rhiannon Eakes, Kylee Harrison, Emily Scott, McKenzie Smith, and Head Coach Leonard Smith. (Photo submitted)

As the 2021-22 high school basketball season draws near, Fulton County High School girls’ basketball Head Coach Leonard Smith hopes to rely on a plethora of experience and a more normal offseason to improve on last season’s 5-10 record in a COVID-shortened season.

The Lady Pilots did finish last season strong, winning their final three regular season games before losing to Carlisle County in the first round of the First District Tournament.

The Lady Pilots will return nine players, including four starters, led by three seniors, Charmaine Buntyn, Ta’Kyiah McNeal, and De’Ayria Kinney, and three juniors, Emily Scott, McKenzie Smith, and Rhiannon Eakes. Rounding out the team is one sophomore, JaVona Davis, and three freshmen, Hannah Murphy, JaMesha Brown, and Kylee Harrison.

Kinney is projected to be the team’s best three-point and free-throw shooter, while Davis is projected to be the team’s best defender.

Coach Smith is unsure of who will start, but has labeled Emily Scott as the first off the bench.

Davis and Brown are expected to assume leadership roles on this year’s team, as they were the top two scorers on last year’s team. Brown averaged 14.3 points per game, while Davis averaged 7 points per game.

Davis, Brown and McNeal are three players that have improved the most from last season, according to Coach Smith.

McNeal led the team with 7.4 rebounds per game last season, while Davis averaged 7.2 rebounds per game, and Scott averaged 5.4 rebounds per game.

Coach Smith said the Lady Pilots’ goals this season are to win more games than last year, make it to the district championship and go to the Regionals.

When asked about the difference between last year’s team and this year’s team, Coach Smith said, “Attitude is great, they believe in themselves. Each players has a mindset that we can play with any team we play.”

Coach Smith is entering his 10th season as head coach of the Lady Pilots, and his assistant coach is Vita Lockridge.

The Lady Pilots will open the season Nov. 30 on the road against Community Christian Academy, and their first home game is scheduled for Dec. 3 as they host Christian Fellowship School. Both games are set to tip-off at 6 p.m.