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Girls basketball: Lady M's ready for district in first season under coach Fred Jones
BY JUSTIN THOMAS, jthomas@acnpapers.com
When the District 8-5A girls basketball season gets underway Friday, Marcus' squad is hopeful a challenging non-district slate will have the Lady Marauders prepared in the first season under head coach Fred Jones.
Jones -- a former assistant on Marcus' boys basketball team -- has taken a similar to approach to that of the reigning boys 5A state champs by facing top competition in the non-district season.
Marcus (7-7) has squared off against the likes Duncanville (No. 2 in the state according to the TABC rankings), Southlake Carroll (No. 3), Plano West (No. 12) and Cedar Hill (No. 18) twice; as well as playoff teams last year in Colleyville Heritage, Lubbock Coronado, Ursuline, Tomball Concordia Lutheran, Arlington Lamar, Rockwall and The Colony.
"We've played pretty well considering we are getting used to a new system," Jones said. "The girls are adjusting well. We've played four ranked teams and have kind of gotten our feet in the fire. But we've done well. We got a nice win against Coronado and were winning in the fourth quarter against Carroll."
While Marcus is adjusting to Jones' system -- which stresses consistency on defense and accountability -- the squad is benefitting from Jones' familiarity with the roster. Not only has Jones been around the program while coaching the boys team, his daughter Vanessa plays on the team.
"That's been a big advantage," Jones said. "To see the girls last year and to have had the opportunity to watch them play select together for the past three or four years has been huge. I know some of their strengths and weaknesses and the chemistry they have. We all care about each other and love each other and I think that's helped them respond to some tough coaching early on."
Along with Vanessa (last year's 8-5A Newcomer of the Year) at shooting guard, the Lady Marauders return post Shannon Malone (a Wisconsin signee and first-teamer last season), guard Sierra Bone (honorable mention), guard Ashley James (second team), guard Morgan Easley, post Kaitlyn Cantrell (honorable mention) and post Jessie O'Malley.
Jones is hopeful the returning talent is able to supplement the loss of last year's District 8-5A MVP Hailie Sample, who has since moved on to play collegiately at Nebraska.
"Hailie is going to be tough to replace," Jones said. "Not only because of her numbers, but because of her competitive nature. When you have a team with three sophomores starting like we do, the challenge is to replace that leadership, understand your roles and figure out who is going to step up as go-to players."
Thus far, Malone, as well as senior Cantrell and junior O'Malley, are helping fill the void left by Sample's departure.
"Shannon has been a great leader and has made the transition easier not only for our players, but for myself," Jones said. "Along with Kaitlyn and Jessie, we have three good posts, and [junior] Jenna Davis has been a great rebounder for us after playing junior varsity last year."
Another key addition for the Lady Marauders is Easley, who made her way into the starting lineup early last season before being sidetracked by an injury. She joins sophomores Vanessa and James, as well as junior Bone, in the backcourt.
"Our three sophomores have been unbelievable," Jones said. "They, along with Sierra, have played together for the last three years and they definitely know how each other play and have a great chemistry. They are the heart and soul of our team and have a great competitive nature."
With Malone and company up front, as well plenty of capable guards, Jones is hopeful Marcus' versatility will be a strength.
"They know where each other is going to be and support each other," he said. "And we should have a nice balance of inside and outside play.
"The key is going to be how we develop over the year. We have inexperience in big-time games, but hopefully that is changing and we are getting there."
Rounding out the Marcus roster are Stacie English, Taylor Roof and Terra Nevin.
Marcus should be tested often before the playoffs begin competing in 8-5A.
"I believe it's the toughest district in the state," Jones said. "Plano is 13-1 this season. East was the champs last year and Plano West is a ranked team. And we haven't even gotten to Lewisville and Flower Mound."
Marcus continues at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday against Frisco Wakeland before opening district at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Plano East.
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