By Jason Williams
With senior night approaching, head coach Lee Smith reflected on his five senior girls and the legacy they have left on the Briarcrest Lady Saints program.
But it wasn’t the impressive 26-game winning streak last season or a currently undefeated record that will define their legacy in a program that has won 13 of the last 16 regional championships.
“Obviously they’re on a winning streak and haven’t been beaten this year, but (their legacy) is the desire and determination these girls play with everyday,” said Smith, who is 229-41 in nine seasons as the Lady Saints coach.
“They’re never late; they’re always on time. They do it the right way. It’s the commitment that they bring and how close they are. I don’t think I’ve ever coached a team that is as close as these kids are.”
Jasmine Cincore is the heart of the Lady Saints, leading her team to an impressive 52-2 record over the past two seasons. As a junior, Cincore became the first Lady Saint since Alliesha Easley in 2006 to be named Miss Basketball.
Cincore, who has signed a letter of intent with the University of Nebraska, believes the bond among the seniors and the team as whole comes primarily from their head coach.
“(Coach Smith) prepares us before we become seniors,” Cincore said. “As seniors, he expects a lot from us. It’s not just basketball-wise. He grows us to be people also. He cares for us outside of basketball and makes sure we’re doing what we’re supposed to do. He’s an example for young kids.”
But Cincore is only one of a close-knit group of seniors that are continuing the strong Lady Saints tradition. Four other seniors – Kalynn Parks, Gabby Salazar, Hannah Steele and Lindsey Taylor – have developed a special bond in their time together.
“All these girls are like my sisters,” Steele said. “I can go to these girls about anything, and they’ll give me advice whether it’s basketball or not. After we graduate, we can still be friends and have strong relationships.”
Sisterhood is a common theme among the Lady Saints, and it starts at the most basic level and extends throughout all 13 girls on the team.
In their junior seasons, twin sisters Brynn and Elise Holden average double-figures. Lindsey Taylor also has a younger sister, sophomore Lauren Taylor, on the team. As a senior, the older Taylor feels the responsibility to set an example for her sister and the rest of the underclassmen.
“The fact that we can play sports together means I can set and example that you have to work for it,” Lindsey said. “I made her come with me on the weekends to make sure we work out and instill the type of leadership she needs for future Lady Saints basketball players.”
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Lady Saints on the court is each player’s recognition of her specific role. The team operates with a rotation of seven to nine players. Lindsey recognizes her role off the bench as a defensive leader.
“Everyone has their own individual thing,” Lindsey said. “Jasmine is the all-around player. The twins know how to drive and get to the goal. Kathryn (Newman) and Gabby can shoot. Kalynn can do some major post game. But we also need that person on defense that keeps everyone together, and I think I can take that place and just help the team improve their defense.”
On a team that is currently 25-0 with three games left in the regular season, Smith is proud of his girls for knowing their individual roles on the court, calling it a “gift” to coach them.
“When people understand their roles, it works together,” Smith said. “You have everybody getting in their seat. You can have one driver, but you can have a lot of passengers. But these girls know their role. They understand it, and they go in and perform their role. They perfect it. Everybody works together … That’s been a gift, and I don’t take it lightly.”
Watching almost the entire season from the bench while recovering from a torn Achilles, Parks has seen a much different team that the one that lost in the state semi-finals a year ago. She has seen her teammates understand the coaches’ orders and apply it on the court.
“This year, we play so much better as a team,” Parks said. “A lot of people watch the game and think Jasmine is so amazing, but we have three players scoring in double-figures most nights. We have other strong starters and people who come off the bench. Watching them this year, we’re stronger as a unit than any one individual.”
With time ticking down on the season before the state tournament, as well as graduation for these five seniors, the legacy of this senior class becomes clearer as each day passes. Salazar doesn’t mention the two 25-plus game winning streaks or specific moments on the court. She will remember her teammates and her coaches.
“I’ll remember how close we are,” Salazar said. “We’re not just teammates; we’re family. We have lunch together in (the locker room). There’s not a team closer than us. I’ll always remember coach Smith and how he was a coach that cared for us. We’re all his daughters, and he cares for us outside of basketball.”
J-Will Sports 