(Photos by Edward Walker)
By Thomas Grant Jr.
New head coach Terrance Jones has hit the ground running with the Chapin girls’ basketball team.
The combination of strong commitment from returning and new players since the summer has created a winning atmosphere around the program.
“We had a consistent 30-35 girls show up for workouts and camps to build team chemistry, set the tone for the new season and also prepare us for the upcoming season,” Jones said. “JV is 12-0 and varsity is 9-5 and I think the reason for that started this summer.”
A competitive non-region schedule facing the likes of defending Class 5A Division I champion Blythewood, current Class 5A Division I number-one Goose Creek and Class 4A second-ranked Camden has allowed the Lady Eagles to further develop their team chemistry.
This will get put to the test starting Friday as Chapin opens Region 4-5A play with three straight road games. It opens against defending champion Dutch Fork, a team that has won all 16 previous meetings.
The Lady Eagles then pay a visit Tuesday to ranked Lexington, against whom they are 0-18 all-time. Chapin’s road trip ends Jan. 16 at River Bluff, winners of 10 straight in the series dating back to Feb. 7, 2020.
Looking to lead the Lady Eagles are forward Reagan Haggard and center Sami Stephenson. The senior duo is 1-2, respectively, in points and rebounds on the team.
“Reagan has had a very solid year so far,” Jones said. “We have been making it a lot easier for her on the offensive side of the ball, keeping her off the ball more and that has her playing more comfortable. But also, she’s been a lot more aggressive on offense for us.
“I think the most important thing has been her buying in on the defensive side of the ball.”
“Sami has been trending upward since the summer. She’s really developed into more than just a rebounder but she’s a threat on the offensive side of the ball. She has a high motor, very physical and she’s a great competitor. Her recruiting has picked up.”
Jones has also received strong production from his freshmen. Point guard Amoria Wright is described by Jones as the “key to the engine”. Her aggressiveness on offensive and willingness to defend the top opposing players each night makes Wright a freshman to watch.
Shooting guard Alaya Douglass is another Chapin freshman Jones expects to continue to grow and develop. The younger sister of junior center Aytria Douglass, the 5-foot 9 Douglass provides size, athleticism and versatility to her position.
As Chapin moves into the second half of the season, Jones believes improving its level of consistency is the key to taking the next step as a program.
