Durant’s girls basketball team set out to win the district championship at the beginning of the year, and the Lady Cougars made that dream a reality Friday, Feb. 3. The team entered regionals with a 19-3 record, thanks in part to strong play from point guard Ashlyn Myers. Myers, a junior, leads the team with 14.4 points, 4.6 steals and 1.4 assists per game, and scored 14 on Tampa Bay Tech in the district title game.
Know someone who deserves an Athlete of the Week feature? Email Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com by the Friday before the next issue.
You’ve been here three years, and the team has gotten better each year. Now you’re a district champ. What’s it been like, working to this point?
Our team’s definitely progressing. It’s been amazing to watch how we’ve gelled together as one.
Are you all doing anything differently than in your freshman year?
From my freshman year, we’ve just kept building and building and building on top of what we’ve had. We’ve had two new players, two freshmen, come in, and they’ve definitely made a big impact on our team. Our coach, he just pushes us to be the best we can be even though we’re tired on the court.
How have you grown as a player since freshman year?
My skill’s gotten a little better. I developed my jump shot, whereas in my freshman year, I didn’t have much of a shot. My IQ has definitely increased. I’ve stepped up this year and have been more of a leader than I was … I’m just working to push people on this team to be the best they can be — the best I know they can be.
What’s your leadership style?
If anyone needs help and they come to me for help, I’ll explain the plays and how we’re supposed to run them.
What’s your proudest moment as a Lady Cougar?
Definitely winning districts … it was a goal for us. Starting at the beginning of this year, we set the goal that we were going to win the district. We did what we were supposed to do, and God blessed us with this gift.
In the championship game, you all didn’t have as much of a problem with Tampa Bay Tech, even though they had just upset Strawberry Crest. What’s the key to beating a team that’s that hot after a huge win?
We just went out there knowing Tech was on that hype because they beat Crest, but we were focused on what we had to do. We knew we already beat them twice before, and we were capable of doing it again.
You hurt your knee recently, and that might affect your status for regionals. But even without the starting point guard, how do you like the team’s odds at regionals?
My team is very capable of pulling out a win. Just because I’m not going to be playing doesn’t mean they can’t take control of the game like I do. Ashanti and Kayla can take control of the point, run the floor, control the tempo of the game. Tamara will be playing, she plays very well. Ally, she’s a true athlete. I know they can gel together as one and play like I know they’re capable of playing. I’m very confident.