ALMS Girls Basketball team 2011-12; So Salem file photo submitted by Nancy Page

The Lady Wolverines concluded their season last Thursday, January 26, 2012, with a 31-26 victory over Clifton Forge. The game was hard fought from beginning to end and the ladies had to clamp down defensively to secure the win. Maia Foley drove the baseline and scored a lay-up extending the Wolverine lead to five and putting the game out of reach. Once again the victory was a true team effort with seven different scorers and nine girls grabbing rebounds on both sides of the floor. The team finished their season with a 20 and 2 overall record, which included nine straight wins.

The team’s success started during the off-season with open gyms and basketball camps. The Lady Wolverines loaded up on the Salem Activity Bus and participated in three summer basketball camps: Hollins, JMU and EMU. Each camp presented a different challenge and brought the team closer together. Playing a combination of J.V. and Middle School teams, the Lady Wolverines were able to learn from each experience and begin to play as a solid unit on the floor.

As a team, the girls averaged 35.4 points per game, while holding their opponents to 18.3 points per game. As a fast-break oriented team, the girls relied heavily on defense to secure hard fought victories against several teams this year. During the season, the Lady Wolverines held seven different teams to nine points or less for the entire game. The team’s dedication to defense became the spark that helped them attain success.

The Eighth grade members of the team are Maia Foley, Hannah Rich, Allison Tatum, Skyler Hayes, Lexi Bryant, Chloe Dennis, Amanda Wines, Sarah Clemson, Hannah Winstead, and Stephanie Carr. The Seventh grade members of the team were Hannah Moran, Ellie Look, Hannah Coulling, Ashlyn Pugh, Brynne Mullins, Jay Trent, Casey Butt and Jennie Battaglia. The team was coached by Head Coach Corbitt Hairston, sixth year Assistant Coach Brad Bradley, and fourth year Assistant Coach Jamie Balow.

This team was a pleasure to coach and work with from the first day to the last. Each member of the term made each practice, game and road trip a special moment. The Coaching staff for ALMS is proud of the Lady Wolverines and all that they have accomplished. It has been an honor and a privilege to work with an outstanding group of student athletes.

Submitted by Coach Corbitt Hairston

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