Tiger's roar is just what the Lady Miners are looking for

By JAYSON KNIGHT

The Hartshorne Lady Miners have played hard this season. Their record may not reflect their hard work, but having shown glimpses of brilliance this season, the team clearly has talent and heart.

Alyssa Reddick has a nice jumpshot and is always willing to pass before pulling the trigger.

Christen Voice fights for every possession. Whether it’s a rebound, a loose ball, or a steal, she wants the ball. And as soon as a defense drops its guard, she makes them pay with great shot selection.

Kirby Holt breaks on the ball well, keeps her hands up, and holds her own well under the goal. If the defense is stubborn enough to foul her, then she racks up points with free throws.

Holly Brozovich has a deep shot that mimics marksmen.

Shelby Trueblood dices up defenses with an extraordinarily uncommon passing ability.

Tracy Tiger is the down-low player that does it all. She blocks, boxes out, shoots, handles the ball, and seemingly does everything well. Her game would make her very intimidating if it weren’t for her having such a friendly face.

Tracy Tiger of the Hartshorne Lady Miners has more than just a friendly face. Tiger is regarded as a friend to many on the team as well as off of it.

Her teammates had plenty to say about her character as well as her game.

“She’s the best as far as driving to the hole,” teammate and Jones Academy roommate, Christen Voice, said of her friend. “She’s just as willing to dish as she is to drive.

“She loves basketball and always keeps the team’s spirits up,” Voice said. “She’s hilarious. I push myself to be as good as she is. It’s a great motivator being competitive with her.”

Her coach spoke on her high-tier level of play. Despite the Lady Miners being an all-contributing team that Tiger depends on as much as they depend on her, Head Coach Chad Ward found plenty to say about the rangy post-player.

“She helps us size-wise, rebounding, and she’s the leading scorer on the team. We’re using her at more of a small forward than a true center. She’s got some range and it’ll get her ready for the next level. She’s very coachable and she’d be dynamic in any program, but we’re glad she’s in ours,” Coach Ward said.

“She’s a great person. She’s really funny and makes everyone laugh and it helps brighten everyone’s day,” Candice Baker said of her fellow Lady Miner. Baker was injured Dec. 9 at the Crowder Invitational when her hand was broken. She will have been out four weeks when she plays against Wilburton Jan. 8, at which time fans can see Tiger and the rest of the Lady Miners take on their long-time rivals, the Diggers. That night will be homecoming night to nobody more than Baker who had more to say about Tiger.

“Tracy’s great at working the post and she can still hit the three,” Baker said. “She’s a great player and I feel like her game and mine are both improving.”

Tiger had plenty to say about her team too.

“We have a new coach this year and he’s doing a great job preparing us. I know we have a good team and that my teammates are dependable. If I’m getting clamped down, I know there’s somewhere I can go with the ball,” Tiger said faithfully of her squad.

“Alyssa Reddick and I are like Shaq and Kobe. I do my best down low and she controls the perimeter. I know where she’s at out there and she knows me,” Tiger said of her senior guard.

“I just love it,” said the junior playmaker. “I can’t even explain it, but basketball is something I can just do all the time.

Right now, Tiger is enjoying her vacation and waiting to shake off the rest and get ready for the remainder of the Lady Miners’ season. Be in Wilburton to see a rangy, rugged, and rapid Lady Miners attempt to bury the Wilburton Diggers.

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