It’s been a rough start for the young Lady Wildcats to begin the 2021-2022 season as Columbia has lost each of its first four games.
The Lady Wildcats (0-4) began the year with a 59-31 road loss to Wesson Oct. 30 and followed it up with a 33-22 home loss to South Jones Nov. 2. After falling by considerable margins in the first two games, Columbia improved greatly in its next two.
At Mendenhall Nov. 4, Columbia went toe-to-toe with the Lady Tigers but ultimately lost 47-46. Then on Nov. 11 at Petal, the Lady Wildcats led for the first three-and-a-half quarters but ran out of gas at the end and ended up falling by eight points.
“On the sad part, we’ve dropped them and are 0-4 out the gate, but we were in all of them and had an opportunity to win,” head coach Charlie James said. “We kind of ran out of gas and started turning the ball over a little bit too much. We’re playing a lot of young girls, but I’m pleased with their effort and the progress that they’re making. I want them to get a win so they can get a taste of it and get everything to gel.”
James added that getting winded and committing late-game turnovers are expected when you’re starting a freshman point guard (Makayla Brown), three sophomores (Payshunce Sims, Chenadi Marshall and Bailey Expose) and and just one senior (Patrice Oatis).
“Brown has been playing pretty good for us. Payshunce Sims is playing center, and Patrice Oatis, one of our guards, is an all-over contributor. It’s been a collection effort of just everybody getting after it,” he said. “No one is standing out over anybody just yet. Everybody is just working hard.”
Columbia played host to rival West Marion Thursday, but results were unavailable at press time. The Lady Wildcats will have 12 days off for their Thanksgiving break before returning to the floor Nov. 30 to face Petal in a rematch at home.
