McEachern Lady Indians Celebrate Another State Title(Photo: 11Alive)
POWDER SPRINGS, Ga --
The McEachern Lady Indians ended the 2013-2014 season with a 29-2 record and the 4-AAAAAA state championship. It was the second time in three years the Lady Indians took home the top trophy. And the 2014-2015 season for the USA Today #11 team in the country is shaping up to be a banner year as well. McEachern is already off to a strong start, beating all three of its opponents by an average of 31 points per game. The team is led by American Family Insurance All-USA preseason player and Class AAAAAA Player of the Year Te'a Cooper. The Senior Point Guard and Tennessee commit averages 20 points, 4.5 steals, and 6 assists per game, and is a respectable 35.6% from beyond the arc. The Lady Indians also return Senior Forward and Georgia commit Caliya Robinson, who with an average of 11.2 rebounds, 6.3 blocks, and 3.3 steals per game is a strong defensive presence for the team.
The Lady Indians will have their hands full with challenges from teams like the Osborne Lady Cardinals, who boast University of Cincinnati Commits Guard/Forward Maya Benham and Guard Nikira Goings and are known for an up-tempo offense and strong outside shooting. And, McEachern will have to find replacements for former starters Taylor Gordon (Wake Forest) and Aunisha Williams (Gardner-Webb), along with role players Klintisha Martin (Grambling), Audrisha Williams (Alabama A&M), and Declaria Daniels. As well, the team will be working with a roster that includes a lot of underclassmen talent. But, Assistant Coach Myra Camese knows that in order to win a third championship in four years McEachern needs to "keep our defense steady. That's always key. Coach (Phyllis) Arthur always says defense wins championships". Coach Camese also knows it's about attitude. She said, "We know we have a new network of girls who need to gel. But, they're gelling quicker than I expected. And, with senior leadership that's been with us through two championship runs and who desire to be successful, I know we'll be fine". That leadership also includes Senior Center Ziendria Bridges and a young leader and newcomer to McEachern in Small Forward Lyndsey Whilby.
Arthur, Camese, and the Lady Indians have much success to be grateful for, with state titles, a slew of region titles, and playoff appearances that span the last two decades. But, when asked what they're most thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day, Camese says it's the team's commitment to being great, being team leaders who epitomize what leaders are (verbal, positive problem solvers), and ladies who handle themselves respectfully on and off the court. In fact, their "Must Succeed" motto and "do-right" attitude were on display this Thanksgiving week when a Parkview High School fan wanted to meet Te'a Cooper. While McEachern was participating in the Parkview basketball tournament, a Parkview Middle School player mentioned she was a fan of Cooper's and of Tennessee. Cooper and some of her teammates stopped what they were doing, walked over to give the fan a hug, and had other teammates pose with the young fan (who is also an aspiring basketball star). Camese says, "That's what it's about. So, I'm thankful for character, for success, for camaraderie, for God-given talent, and for the Lady Indians of McEachern". McEachern takes Thanksgiving Day off and then heads to Murfreesboro, TN for the Turkey Jam tournament at Oakland High School.
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