For the first time in Heather Hohertz’s tenure as Brownwood varsity girls basketball head coach, the Lady Lions did not reach the playoffs last season.
As Brownwood prepares for its 13th campaign under Hohertz, last year’s shortcomings are motivating this year’s squad to begin a new string of postseason appearances.
“Missing the playoffs last year was very disappointing for the girls, ” said Hohertz, who owns a 246-133 record at Brownwood. “It has motivated and pushed the seniors to be better vocal leaders and leaders by example. They realize the expectations and want to strive to be successful and not let the girls and teams that built the program down. Also missing last year has made me a better coach and has motivated me as well.”
The Lady Lions – who host Eastland at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday in the season opener – return seven key contributors from last year’s 9-15 squad that dropped a fourth-place play-in game to Lampasas to conclude the 2020-21 campaign.
“I believe the biggest strengths of this team will be experience. We run seven experienced players,” Hohertz said. “They know the system and they know how hard they have to play to be successful.”
Among the key returnees are all-district and all-state selection Tessa Goodwin as well as point guard Kynslee Walker, shooting guard Mady Pyle, shooting guard Alexa Arreola and Jaylen Savage in the middle. Lexi Greer should provide quality minutes off the bench in the middle of the zone and down low.
Kassidy Wooten heads up the new additions to the roster expected to make an instant impact.
“Kassidy will be someone who is looked upon to play a lot of different roles for us,” Hohertz said. “Her ability to shoot the ball, play good defense, and rebound will help immediately.”
Injuries prior to the start of the season have created a cause for concern as Hohertz has been forced to reshuffle the rotation and depend upon some less experienced players to develop faster.
“Naysa Leach tore her ACL in June and is projected to be released in December, putting her back in time for district, but Jadie Sudderth out for the year after multiple head injuries and Taylor Pinckney is out for the year with an ACL injury,” Hohertz said. “The girls moving up to varsity this year have to learn to adjust to the speed of the game. We need to clean up the communication on the defensive end and not to force the offensive. We can’t dig ourselves holes early in games.”
Following the season opener, the Lady Lions’ pre-district schedule features Merkel, Lake Belton, Mildred, Comanche, Jim Ned, Coleman, Goldthwaite, Burnet, Abilene Wylie, San Angelo Lake View, and Graham, as well as the Hamilton and Lorena tournaments and the Holiday Classic.
District 6-4A action kicks off Jan. 7 as the Lady Lions will compete with Stephenville, Glen Rose, Lampasas and Gatesville for league supremacy.
“Our district once again will be a toss up and a competitive district,” Hohertz said. “Stephenville stands out as front runners with who they return. Glen Rose will be young but has a great coach who always gets the best out of his players. Lampasas returns the bulk of their team as well. Gatesville will be down this year as graduation hit them hard and lost six seniors.”
As for what it will take for the Lady Lions to return to the postseason and compete for a district title, Hohertz said, “This team has the potential to go out and be one of the best teams I’ve coached and give themselves a shot at a district championship. We have a complete team with guards and posts. We have to develop that never back down mentality. I have watched these girls grow and develop since they were seventh graders. It’s their time now to go show it on the court. We have the saying this year that everything we do has to be #withApurpose.”
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BROWNWOOD LADY LIONS VARSITY BASKEBALL SCHEDULE
| Nov. 9 | Eastland | 6:15 pm. |
| Nov. 12 | at Merkel | 6:15 p.m. |
| Nov. 16 | Lake Belton | 6:30 p.m. |
| Nov. 18-20 | at Hamilton tournament | TBA |
| Nov. 22 | Mildred (at Glen Rose) | 1 p.m. |
| Nov. 23 | Comanche | 2:15 p.m. |
| Nov. 30 | at Jim Ned | 6:15 p.m. |
| Dec. 2-4 | at Lorena tournament | TBA |
| Dec. 7 | Coleman | 6:30 p.m. |
| Dec. 14 | at Burnet | 6:30 p.m. |
| Dec. 17 | at Abilene Wylie | 3:30 p.m. |
| Dec. 20 | San Angelo Lake View | 11:30 a.m. |
| Dec. 28-30 | Holiday Classic | TBA |
| Jan. 4 | at Graham | 6 p.m. |
| Jan. 7 | Glen Rose* | 6 p.m. |
| Jan. 11 | at Lampasas* | 6:30 p.m. |
| Jan. 14 | Gatesville* | 6 p.m. |
| Jan. 18 | OPEN | |
| Jan. 21 | at Stephenville* | 6 p.m. |
| Jan. 25 | at Glen Rose* | 5:45 p.m. |
| Jan. 28 | Lampasas* | 5:45 p.m. |
| Feb. 1 | at Gatesville* | 6:30 p.m. |
| Feb. 4 | OPEN | |
| Feb. 8 | Stephenville* | 6 p.m. |
| * District 6-4A Games |