The Rebirth of the Lady Patriot’s Team

Liberty Girls Basketball  Team has always been a standout team in the past 10 years. But, this year Liberty girls are starting off young and proving that young talent doesn’t compare to experience. The challenge this year is overcoming fear of being young and showing experienced players that have the basic fundamentals, that being young , talented, and confident is key and use young as an excuse.  This team believes they could make it to the championship, especially with this year's coaching staff. This year comes with a twist, for the past years there have been at least 5 upperclassmen. But now there are eight freshmen, three sophomores, one junior and one senior.

It’s been nine years since Coach Wilson has experienced a team with so much young talent. 

From previously interviewing the girls and watching their coach, you can see how confident she is about winning the game and how she believes in her players. The way she communicates with them, she gives the mindset of a coach that wins state championships. A coach that wants to develop the mindset of a champion into her players. Speaking with Coach Wilson, in the last interview, she expresses that being young isn’t an excuse. That if the people in that particular circle just believe, everything could fall into place. Her motto being #justus. 

It isn’t even all about the coaching staff, the parents are a great support system as well. No matter how many losses or how far the girl goes, right behind them are their parents. Cheering in the stand, encouraging them to play hard and when it gets rough to never give up. They also have a great administrator support system, the principle catching all the home games, even the away games. 

But today we have an interview with the only senior, Quiana laVergne c/o 25.  

What inspired you to come to Liberty High School? 

When I was in middle school, I always watched my sister play basketball at a different school, Scotlandville High. Her rival was always Liberty and the games against each other would be so intense. Eventually during my eighth grade year, I received a phone call from Coach Wilson offering the opportunity to play with her. After looking into her coaching record I had seen she won multiple championships and just her voice and the way she communicated was calming. Like she would have my back no matter the situation and that is the type of people I want to be around. No, it's my senior year and my sister went from being a rival to Liberty but instead a member of the coaching staff . 

As the only senior, how do you guide the younger players? 

Honestly, it’s hard leading a lot of young players. I'm mostly nice and I hate having to be aggressive towards them but in life some people have to learn how to take constructive criticism. I communicate with them on and off the court to establish a bond between every player and let them know I'll always be here, whether it's a question about school work or even the plays we are running on the court, etc. They have to understand that when  it comes to basketball, my emotions change, like more of a serious tone. 

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation, I plan on going to a college with a great medical program and majoring in veterinary medicine or science. Also going to cosmetology school as well. I  have a passion for animals and make other people feel beautiful and happy. 

How has your role on the team changed over the years?

From my freshman year I barely played, but off the court I'll always bring joy and excitement. I love making people smile. This continued over the year, but as my role on the court changed, I went from focusing on one part of the game like defense to transitioning to offense and now it's my senior year and I believe that I am great at both offense and defense. From being a follower and learning to now leading those younger than me. I want to follow a different path than what I experienced. They are a group of talented young girls and have the opportunity to be even better than I am. 

How have you overcome the challenge of having a young team? 

Losing games against teams I and my past teammates beat. But I learned to not get frustrated at them but to guide them through their mistakes and to try their best not to repeat it. 

At Liberty High School, the girls basketball team is more than just a team, a family who believes in one another and is dedicated to win no matter the age.