Lady Tigers return senior with 1,000+ career points

By Kyle Troutman [email protected]

With four returning starters and a blend of experience and new energy, the Exeter girls basketball team expects cohesion and versatility to take center stage.

Jennifer Young, Exeter girls basketball coach, said her veterans provide the foundation the team will rely on early.

“Shea Hilburn, Honesty Hall, Beatriz Alcaraz and Jaylee Hawkins have all played together for the last three years,” Young said. “They are all four very quick, and they all work very well together.”

In the front court, Young said Hilburn, a senior forward, returns as a key piece alongside Hall, senior shooting guard. Young added that Alcaraz, junior point guard, and Hawkins, junior shooting guard round out the experienced starting group. Sophomores Breely Willis, a shooting guard, and Jaycee Lile, a forward, also return as letter winners expected to contribute.

The roster will also receive an injection of new faces who Young believes are ready for varsity action.

“Freshman Bobbi Hall and freshman Madison Younger will both see lots of varsity minutes and will definitely make an impact on our team,” Young said. “And, Junior Kiarah Lokot played part of her freshman year and has been out due to health reasons since then. She is healthy now and ready to play, so we are looking forward to what she may add to the team.”

Despite the experience, Young said the Lady Tigers’ biggest obstacle remains on the defensive end.

“We struggled defensively last season, that is the most important thing we need to work on early,” Young said. “I think we may struggle with rebounding more than we did last year; our freshmen and one sophomore are going to have to step up and fill the gap early on.”

While the defensive focus will be critical, Young said her players have set meaningful goals for themselves.

“Our ultimate goal is a district championship of course, because we came up short last year,” Young said. “But, I feel like a successful season for us will be learning to compete as a team, and learning to trust each other no matter which five players are on the floor.”

Young also acknowledged offensive concerns that surfaced at times last season.

“We lack a lot of confidence on the offensive end,” Young said.

Still, the coach said there are plenty of reasons to believe this group can take another leap forward.

“We had a great season last year, but I believe we can be even better this year if we put in the work,” Young said. “I feel like we can pick any five players on the floor, and they can all play any position. No one is really tied to just being able to play one position.”

Exeter averaged 44 points per game last season, shot 49% from the free-throw line and posted 41 rebounds, 10 assists and 11 steals per contest.

Young said the year also brings the opportunity for another major milestone for her senior leader.

“Shea scored her 1,000th point last season; she should be able to make it to 1,500 career points this year,” Young said.

Hilburn also earned regional recognition before the season tipped off, was chosen to be on the cover of Ozarks Basketball Preview Magazine.

The Lady Tigers kicked off the season at the Lockwood Jamboree. The home opener is on Tuesday against Bronaugh.