As a cold front approaches The Ville with strong winds, the Honeybees are approaching playoffs with 24-7 wins and finishing district in 2nd place. As of 02-13-17, the Honeybees are now Bi-District Champs for nine years in a row.

  Their dedication and love for basketball has put them in the top ten in state and Alan Thorp, head coach and health teacher, could not be any more excited  for the team as they played their first playoff game against Springtown and beat them 64-25.

  The Bees hope to go farther this year than last season when they reach the quarterfinals for the seventh straight year but fell short to Brownwood with 42-48 and ended with 17-17 wins for the season.

  Seven seniors graduated last year, but ambitions Bees are picking up the slack and aim to reach the quarterfinals for the eighth time in a row.

  Coach Thorp is very thrilled on how the bees played throughout the season as well as the tournaments that they participated  but he is more thrilled about playoffs and hopes  to make it far again.

  “The team is playing very well together. They won the Heritage tournament and competed great in the other two. I think we have a chance to make a long run in the playoffs,” Thorp said.

  Coach Thorp and his athletes have very enthusiastic goals this season and

  “Our goal is to make is to pass playoffs, make the regional tournament and then the state tournament. We will also improve each time we play a game and play better as a team,” Coach Thorp said.

  Senior Katie Roberson, post on the varsity team, has  similar goals and is trying to finish the year with a great taste of basketball.

  “Considering I’m a senior, the goal for this season would be for me to leave everything I have out on the court on every game play. I have to push the team as far as it can go, ” Roberson said.

  “I think we have done a fantastic job in playoffs. I believe this team has something special that can take us far.  Speaking from a basketball sense, we got a little of everything. Shooters, penetrators, rebounders, we got it all, but most of all this team has the ability to come together which is crucial to a successful team,” Roberson said.

 Blair Lanes, also a senior who plays guard, is very clear on what she wants to accomplish.

  “ My goal is for us to do our very best. Our team has clear goals: to be the best we can possibly be. We all work hard for this opportunity and have a lot of hope to get better. We had some adversity and lost some games, but I think we are getting it together to peak right at a good time to take on playoffs,” Lanes said.

  But being a basketball honeybees is not just about dribbling, shooting three pointers,  beating 5A Aledo 52-32 or winning the Midlothian Heritaged tournament. It is about learning to respect each other and becoming influential women of  society. Being a Honeybee requires to learn how to lose a district game and learn how to fix mistakes. It requires to have a positive philosophy and be encourage to one another. Coach Thorp leads the team to bond and influences them.

  “Hardest part of the game is getting the kids to like each other and not be jealous. The girls have to put aside differences when they get on the court. I always tell them what we want to accomplish before a game: play hard on every play and do things right,” Coach Thorp said.

  Tesslie Baker, a junior that plays post and guard for the team, is impacted by playing basketball throughout her daily life.

  “Basketball has shown me that you push yourself in life more than you realize. My philosophy is if you make make all your free throws, if you block out, if you put all your lay-ups in, you will never loose,” Baker said.

 Jordan Carter, a junior that plays point guard, has grown to become a very well know leader at the court and in the classroom. She has learn several life lessons and considers the team to treat each other as a family which is the key to success.

  “ Basketball has taught me several life lessons including leadership, teamwork,skills responsibilities and how to have a strong work ethic. Our team is a family. We work hard and grow together. We all love each other. I think this is essential for a successful team. Our team has excelled this season especially in district. We have only lost to Godly, so i think we will play well and go far in district. I want the team to win state, but also  to enjoy our season. I really hope our team learns and creates memories this season to better help us in the future” Carter said.

  Maddison carter is a freshmen but already knows what life lessons the game has given her and  has a lot of expectations for herself and the team.

 “ I have played basketball for as long as I can remember.Not only is playing the game simply fun, I love being part of something bigger than just a basketball team. The bonds I have formed with my current teammates and also past teammates can never be broken. My team is one of the most motivated and competitive team out there,” Carter said. “We push each other to be our best selves on and off the court. Our heart for the game is one of a kind and you will not see us take one day off. We live by coach mayes ‘s word, ‘be solid’  and try to be just that every single day. A state championship would be ideal, but also I would like my team to enjoy this season and create memories.”

 Coach Thorp enjoys coaching this team and has a love for this sport.

“I enjoy the competition of the game. This team is fun to be around, and they played hard every night. Hard work, weight room, conditioning and gym work makes my team mentally tough. I think that is the key,” Coach Thorp said.