2023-2024 Team Preview: Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa Lady Patriots

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa Lady Patriots</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Class 6A Area 6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Head Coach: Nick Browder</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Last Season Record: 29-6&nbsp;<em>(According to maxpreps.com)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Instagram:&nbsp;</strong>hhsladypats</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>X/Twitter</strong>: @HHSLadyPats</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='323426' first='Jareah' last='Branch']&nbsp;</strong>(5'11/PG/'25)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: punkin2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Look for Jareah to be the leader on this year's squad that Coach Browder will depend on to carry a heavy load. She is an athletic playmaking PG who can handle the rock and is very tough off the bounce. She is a lengthy backcourt player who causes problems with her size with smaller guards. With the ball expected to be in her hands often and production needed from Jarrah, look for her stock to rise in her final two years.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='381451' first='Farrah' last='Buckner']&nbsp;</strong>(5'8/CG)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Farrah is another playmaking guard that the Lady Pats will have on the floor, making it very hard for opponents to game plan against. She can handle the rock and create her own shot off the bounce. She will be looked to for production in the scoring column and to help get others into the flow of the game. She can switch between playing on the ball and off, and she has shown that her production doesn't drop when she makes the switch.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1208231' first='Blakeley' last='Nixon']&nbsp;</strong>(5'8/CG)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Blakeley will bring a level of toughness to the floor and will be a much-needed two-way player who impacts both ends of the floor. She is a player that will flash her athleticism and will be a tough match-up for opposing players. Blakeley will also be looked upon for leadership.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">When asked about two players who will be key pieces of the puzzle for the team this season that were not listed in the top three above, Coach Browder quickly mentioned the following two players:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Sinaya Gibson</strong> is arguably an important piece to the Lady Pats' team. Her ability to run the floor from the Center position and rebound the ball makes her special. Her biggest attribute is her ability to lead with a selfless attitude. Coach Browder mentioned <strong>Nyeishia Davis</strong>, who is important because she will be called upon to defend the opponent's best guard. She is a two-way player who is a tenacious on-ball defender as well as a player who can really shoot the ball from the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The Lady Pats will not be ducking any smoke this year as their strength of schedule is amongst the best in the state. Their style of play with dynamic backcourt players who can push the pace and keep their turnovers at a minimum will make this a difficult team night in and night out.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">When asked what it would take for the team to make a deep playoff run, make it to the Final Four, or even win the State Championship, Coach Browder told me that his girls have to stay healthy and be able to handle adversity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->