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Lady Mustangs looking to keep momentum
Melanie Zeigler
South Effingham’s Melanie Zeigler (33) puts up a shot during a Nov. 5 scrimmage against Screven County. - photo by Photo by Birk Herrath

GUYTON — This year’s South Effingham girls basketball team is looking to avoid regret. 

The Lady Mustangs started 7-0 a year ago and the team quickly lost its momentum, finishing 13-16 overall.

Senior Destinee Owens is looking to avoid the disappointment of another major pitfall.

“We want a good record,” Owens said. “Last year, we went 7-0. I want to push and stay strong through the season.”

Lady Mustangs head coach Jenifer Hall likes the makeup of her team. Her roster includes four freshmen and a strong group of seniors.

“Owens, Cianna Trenary and Madison Coleman will lead the team with their performance on the court hoping to improve their record from last season,” she said. “Joining Owens at the forward position will be 6-2 junior Melanie Zeigler and junior Annabelle Sheley. Owens is a fast post player while Melanie is a beast around the basket.

“Junior Mary Taylor, along with Coleman and Trenary, will do the majority of the outside shooting for the team this year. 

“Freshmen sensation Kay’Mar Griffin sees the court well and will be a great attribute to the team this year.”

South Effingham kicked off the season in dominant fashion with a 74-15 win over Groves. Owens dropped a game-high 19 points but it was stellar play by  Griffin and Laney Dobbs that helped secure the victory. 

Described as a smart ball-handler, Griffin knows how to navigate her way up and down the court. Dobbs, who finished second in scoring with 14 points, is a confident shooter in the paint.

“I am blessed that I am (on varsity),” Dobbs said. “I love the girls. It’s fun being on both JV and varsity. I wasn’t making any of my open layups and then I finally did. 

“I had butterflies because I’m a ninth grader on varsity. I couldn’t win without my team. Kay’Mar gave me a lot of assists in the first half and the defense helped me get a lot of the open layups.”

“Our freshmen are really good,” Owens said. “We have one of the best sets of freshmen I’ve seen.”

“It sets the bar high for future games and how we should play,” she added.