The Nanih Waiya boys and girls basketball teams find themselves at two very different places at this early stage of the season. While the boys are playing with just seven players trying to work on some potential depth while waiting on 14 athletes from the football team to join once that season is over, the girls are learning to work together to grow as a unit as they learn to play under first-year head coach Sessums Russell. Both squads have played three games, with the Lady Warriors winning two of the first three and the outmanned Warriors getting off to an 0-3 start, but getting some valuable experience. “We are returning all starters but one from last year,” said NW boys coach Austin Swart of what his team would look like once his full squad gets into the gym. “We should be competitive. We made a run in the district tournament last year,” Among those Swart is counting on to help this season is point guard Tyquan McCully, who was the leading scorer the last two years as well as two guard/three guard Trey McMullen who is a strong defender and has the ability to score from outside. Two other football players Swart is counting on are Ricco Moore and Ethan Dailey. “He (Moore) is very, very electric and one of the best defenders around.” Dailey is long and strong and started most of the games for the Warriors on the hardwood last year. Two players who have been on the court already this season that look to contribute are Daitian Tubby and Isaiah Nicholson. In last week’s 60-25 loss to West Lauderdale, Tubby scored 12 and Nicholson eight. Russell said his Lady Warriors have “a lot of athleticism.” “I feel like we have a pretty good team,” he said. “I have 10 to 12 girls who can all get out there and play. We are starting to come together as a team. ‘We are fast and have a lot of good ball handlers. We can create things for ourselves. His one true post player is sophomore Morgan Mills. Among the most experienced returnees is guard Ambria Tubby. Getting playing time as the shooting guard is Taina Thompson, while senior I’onnya Coleman is at the small forward and classmate Jalia Cotton is on the wing. His is also looking for help from senior small forward Skylar Eaves and a pair of sisters who transferred in — senior Channa Clemons and freshman Taylor Clemons. After winning their first two games of the season, the Lady Warriors dropped a tough 40-35 decision to Class 4A West Lauderdale last week. After scoring just five points in the first quarter, NW trailed just 20-16 at the half. “The West Lauderdale girls were fast and we had too many mistakes with bad passes or mishandling of the ball, resulting in turnovers,” Russell said. Thompson was the leading scorer for the Lady Warriors with 10 points, while Coleman had seven and Tubby six. “We hate to lose, but realize every (loss) comes with a lesson,” Russell said. “We must have better control of the ball to limit turnovers and we must shoot better from the foul line.” The Lady Warriors only made 48 percent of their free throws against WL. The Warriors and Lady Warriors are set to visit Lake Thursday at 6 p.m.
