Lady Hornets highlight event

By Ed Taylor, Sports Correspondent

April 30, 2008 03:50 pm

— Lafayette High School took time out to host their annual basketball banquet two weeks ago. The highlight of the banquet was the accomplishments of the Lafayette Lady Hornets basketball team during the 2007-08 season. Coach Jimmy Blankenship honored five junior varsity players who came up to the varsity after the JV season was completed.
The accomplishments of this year’s squad had many highlights within itself. Lafayette won their fifth consecutive district championship and seventh in eight years. The Lady Hornets took out St. Joe’s of St. Augustine in the regional semi-finals before eliminating University Christian in the regional finals. The Lady Hornets advanced to the state finals before losing.
For the departing seniors, Coach Blankenship related how they leave with a district record of 52-0 over the past four seasons. Over the last two years they have posted a 17-1 record over Gainesville schools. Their overall record for the past four season in a very impressive 98-17.
“I am thankful that I am allowed to coach here,” said Coach Blankenship. “I want to thank our AD, Mike Harris and the parents of these ladies for all their support through the year. Amelia and Jerry Hill (assistant coach) has done a great job. I want to thank all the fans who supported us both at home and in the state tournament.”
Senior Natalie Land was recognized for her contributions to the girls program over the past six seasons. She played on five district championship teams and was the team’s leading scorer the past six years. For her career she averaged 20 points a game, 11 rebounds and six assists per game. She shot 55 percent from the floor and 70 percent from the charity stripe. She was named Dairy Farmers Player of the Year during her sophomore and senior seasons. She was Class 2A Player of the Year five years running. She was the Gainesville Sun Player of the Year four consecutive seasons. Out of the 176 games Land played in, the Lady Hornets won 142.
Also, recognized were sophomore Sunshine Reid who averaged just over 13 points per game. She was the team’s leader in assists with almost six per game. She averaged pulling in nine rebounds per contest. She was All-State Honorable Mention twice.
Cartaesha Macklin was honored for being named Third Team All-State. Macklin gave the Lady Hornets offense a spark and averaged nearly 15 points per game as a freshman to go with her three assists and five rebounds per outing.
Winning Best Defensive Players awards were: Kelsey Land, Sharonda Cherry and Taquelia Macklin. Natalie Land won the best free throw trophy.
Coach Daryl Fletcher, in his first year at the helm of the boys varsity team, honored his six departing seniors with trophies. “I have enjoyed every minute of coaching the boys team this year,” said Fletcher. “I have had a great time working with the kids. We have had some great players this year and a great program. We made a great run toward the end of the season.”
Named the team’s best offensive players were two seniors, Jonathan Sellers and Eric McIntyre. Kevin Waters and Joseph Edwards took home the best defensive awards. Joey Watson, with his hard work on the floor, was named the Coaches Award winner. Sellers also carried home the best free throw shooter’s award.
First year players, Devin Bellamy, Christian Mercedes and Antwan Brown received a letter and pin. Receiving jackets were Waters, Watson, Jamal Reid and Sergio Perez.
Coach Mike Harris came to the podium in recognizing the boys junior varsity team. Zachary Fleming, who had a great season, was named the team’s top Offensive Player. Ethan Perry received the team’s best defensive player while the team free throw award went to Ryan Horn.
“We struggled a bit in the early going,” said Coach Harris, “but that was due the extended football season we had. It took time for us to get going but late in the year we started playing better.”
Jerry Hill, long time girls junior varsity coach, told the large gathering that he really only had five players for the JV team. “That made for an interesting year. We had to go and bring some up from the middle school team,” he said. “Two key wins for us this year was victories over P.K. Yonge and Florida High.”
Amelia Hill, coach of the middle school girls basketball program, praised her team for their 5-5 finish this season. “I am proud of my team this year,” she said. “They worked hard all season long and they listen to what we had to say. I just want to thank everyone who supported us.” For the “C” team girls, Elizabeth Anderson took home the team’s free throw trophy
Coach Scott said stressing the fundamentals of the game was priority one for the middle school boys team. “Our team was a very coachable team this year,” he said. “I felt that what was needed for this team was stressing the fundamentals. I think it cost us a few games because of our execution. Hopefully, what we have accomplished future teams will reap the rewards.”
The varsity cheerleaders received nice awards from their sponsor, Sonya Koon, who stated the numbers of this year’s squad was the largest ever for boys basketball. For the varsity cheerleaders captain Ayanna Whidden was chosen the Most Dedicated while Sam Land was named the squad’s Most Improved. The Most Spirited award went to Casey Bailey.
Other members of the varsity team also received awards. They were: captain Emily Contreras, Kristen Hurst, Brandi Marlenee, Audrey Williams, Katie Durham, Gabriela Goodison, Alicia Townsend, Monica Pritchett and Jessica Williams.
For the junior varsity cheerleaders team captain Brooke Noyes was named the Most Spirited and the Most Dedicated went to captain Emily Millay. Sara Kolvinsky was named the team’s Most Improved. Other members of the junior varsity team receiving awards were: Nicolle Marlenee, Katrina Handson, Emily Hudson, Krista Hein, Caitlyn Hodge and Alyssa Clay.