HENRY COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Susan Burton
Communications Director
Paris, TN - The Lakewood Lady Eagles defeated Stewart County 44-28 to become the 2024 River Conference champions! The team is coached by Elaina Wood, who is also an Algebra I teacher at E. W. Grove School.
When asked to describe her team and their philosophy this year, Wood says, “if you were to ask any of my players what I say the most, they would quote me on “next play.” Having a “next play” mentality is something we have worked on all season. The next play mentality is the mind set of moving on from whatever just happened in the previous play and focusing on the current play. Regardless of a missed shot, turnover, foul, or a run the other team makes, you have to focus on the next play.”
The Lady Eagles did just that. “We came out mentally tough and kept pushing forward. It showed the most in the third quarter when Stewart County came out aggressive and more determined to show their physicality after halftime. Regardless of our missed layups early in the second half and their run early in the third quarter, the girls pushed through and took the momentum back quickly. The girls came out engaged, active, and hungry to win. Defensively we played the best game we have played all season. The girls showed grit and were unselfish with the basketball. It has been so rewarding watching them grow individually and as a team.”
Coach Wood is proud of how her team has grown this season. “From the first game to the championship game, we are a completely different team. Not only with our skills and ability to play together, but how mentally tough we are. These girls have grown as players and their knowledge of the game tremendously! Proud is an understatement and I couldn’t have been blessed more with such a great group of girls for my first year as a head coach!”
#
Photo submitted by Elaina Wood