They’ve taken some lumps to begin the year, but the Columbia Lady Wildcats are close to getting healthy again as the schedule heats up.
Head coach Charlie James said he’s been pleased with the results despite the Lady Wildcats’ 2-6 record considering the injuries they’ve dealt with along with the departures from last year’s squad.
“Even though we’ve been decimated with injuries, they’ve continued to fight and play hard. We’ve just been outmanned,” he said. “(Tuesday against North Forrest) we had a chance to win it late, and we missed two wide-open layups when we were down three or four points. I told them, though, that if they keep fighting the way they’re fighting good things will eventually happen.”
Aly Dunaway suffered an upper arm injury and has missed the last two games, but she is expected to return this weekend. James said Columbia has missed her ability to stretch the defense as a 3-point threat and that it will be key to get her back. Jaleah Echols got banged up against North Forrest and didn’t return. And Christina James, who led Columbia in points, rebounds, blocks and field goal percentage last season, transferred to Jeff Davis County.
“It’s next man up,” coach James said. “She’s gone and chose to go to a different place so next man up is the mentality we’re taking.”
Aniyah Fortenberry, Janayiah Willis and Patrice Oatis have all stepped up for the Lady Wildcats, according to James. He said nobody on the team this year has the size Christina James did so he’s preaching that it needs to be a collective effort.
“If we just keep grinding, hopefully eventually good things will start happening for us,” he said.
Jasmine Sheppard has been the early star for the Lady Wildcats with 14.3 points per game, while Fortenberry has 8.6 and Dunaway 8.0.
Columbia will play host to East Marion Saturday night, and James said it’s a game both schools look forward to playing each year and it should be a great atmosphere.
