Lady Indians still growing in Halasz’s 3rd year
The Pinson Valley High School girls basketball team was disappointed at the conclusion of last season, and that’s a testament to the progress the program has made in two seasons under coach Sara Halasz.
Halasz inherited a program in tumult shortly before the 2016-17 season. Over the last two seasons, the Lady Indians have risen from a struggling team to one that won nine games last year, including three in Class 6A, Area 12 play. They won four of those games in an impressive six-game run before the turn of the year.
The Lady Indians split two contests with Clay-Chalkville in the regular season, so that made the season-ending loss to the Cougars in the area tournament, 50-44, a bit of a letdown.
“We won [nine] games last year, so that was a progression in itself,” Halasz said. “It kind of put the girls on the map. The girls really worked hard.”
Kaylin Hamby, Breanna Green and Janaiya Mintze graduated from last season’s squad and all three were major contributors. But Pinson Valley does return its two leading scorers in Kaitlyn Ambrose and Courtney Whatley. Now that those two — along with a few others — have been in Halasz’s program for a couple years, they know what to expect and are eager to continue the team’s rise.
“They’re more hungry and they want to get up there and compete,” Halasz said. “They push each other and hold each other accountable and that’s all a coach can ask for.”
Halasz said it was about “half and half” in terms of players within the program that fully understand her expectations versus younger players that have shown potential but are still learning the ins and outs.
“Some of our younger girls are still trying to understand, but the returners and older players are taking them under their wing and teaching them,” she said.
Ambrose and Barryonna White are Pinson Valley’s two seniors this fall. White is back after missing all of last season with a knee injury. Ashly Robinson is another player back from injury, as she missed the closing stretch of last season. Kiara Austin transferred in from Tarrant and is a player Halasz said will help the team.
Lauryn Green and Makaila Clayton have each started the season strong and "provide a spark."
The Lady Indians plan to feature a varsity-only team at the high school level this season. Halasz is hopeful that the experience gained by some of the underclassmen will pay off down the road in their careers.
Tenley Alexander, Niyah Barber, Shameria Blocton, Treasure Clark, Kaley Fuller, Kayla Hawkins and Maddy Joiner round out the team.
Pinson Valley will compete in Area 12 with Clay-Chalkville and Pell City this winter. The Lady Indians hope they won’t be disappointed following the area tournament this time around.