Basketball season is here! Ladies coach Jim Roll has been at Heavener for twelve years and his goal is not only to make the state tournament but to win it. Men’s coach Ray Glover has been coaching here for the last four years. Reflecting on his career decision, “It more or less chose me. I didn’t choose it. A lot of people don’t realize that I played college basketball right along with baseball.” His focus for the year is more rebounding and to improve on last year’s record. When asked how hard he has been pushing his boys Glover, “We are beginning to push them a little harder, not real hard up to this point, but the closer we get to season we will be going pretty hard.” Coach Roll has already amped up the practices. “Well I've been pushing them pretty hard, but with this bunch I don’t really have to because they want to win as much as I do. I love coaching girls basketball because they work hard and they listen even though they are a pain sometimes, but it’s just an enjoyment to see them progress.”
Senior Sammie Taylor has been playing for the Lady Wolves for 4 years. Her goals for her team are, “Working hard every day and getting to state and winning, always give 110%, work hard every day, and cherish the moments. Senior Shaelena Bacon has been playing for the Lady Wolves for two years and her goals for her team are, “ I want to make it to playoffs for sure but most of all I want us to grow together as a team and just show them that basketball can be really fun if you work together.” She believes this season is going to be a good season by the way it’s looking. She states, “...the team needs to keep in their mind that there is no “good enough” and you can never have an endpoint where you wanna be. You got to push yourself. Never quit doing what you love just because people may not like it or you. People make mistakes all the time, just learn from them. Enjoy the time you have as a freshman or sophomore because once it goes by you’ll wish you could have it back.” Her favorite memories about playing for Heavener are the away games because it would be a long bus ride to the game and coming back from a tough win.
Senior Graceon Huggins has been playing basketball for the Wolves since 8th grade and his goals for his team is to win all the games they can and become district champs and to go as far as they can. He doesn’t really know how the team is looking right now because has been playing football. When football is over he will have a better look at how the team is progressing. Graceon’s advice for the players is, “Go hard don’t take days off. Don’t push yourself your senior year. Start pushing yourself now so you can be the best that you can be”. His favorite memories about playing basketball is winning games and the bus rides home after winning games. Senior Cael Lawson has been playing for the Wolves for two years and his goals for the season is, “To get not only the best out of basketball but also from each other. Basketball is fun but impactful. If I know we did our best, then we are always going to be heading towards the right direction. But also I want for us to be state contender. Basketball is something you have to prioritize and be ready to dedicate to because there’s so many things you can learn and it’s not something simple.” He thinks this season is going great so far. As a team he wants to win and execute what coach is needing them to do. He sees great potential in the underclassmen and good vets in our upper.
Basketball season will officially begin November 21st for regular season games. For these seniors, it will be an exciting time. Take every moment in and make every shot count.