The York Dragonettes are in a new district with new faces, but optimism is high in the program ahead of the 2021-2022 basketball season.
With a returning core of contributors and the arrival of an up-and-coming superstar, head coach Michael Green was excited to get the season started.
“We’re looking pretty good,” said Green. “We had a good summer.”
The Dragonettes are coming off a 23-9 season in 2020, including a trip to the sectional round of the postseason. They lost a superstar off the roster in Haylee Johnson but are adding one in freshman point guard Reese Beaty.
Beaty has commanded nationwide attention for her complete game, including visits to SEC schools including the University of Alabama and the University of Georgia, while receiving an offer from East Tennessee State before playing a minute of varsity high school basketball.
“She’s probably the most well-known player coming into York Institute that’s ever been here,” said Green. “She should be… maybe the best player that’s ever come through here but should-ofs don’t matter. She’s got to go out and prove it on the floor. We’re looking for her to run the show for us. She’s still going to have those freshman bumps and mistakes, but we’re looking for big things out of her.”
Beaty is not alone, however, as the Dragonettes boast an experienced core including Sage Smith, Ellie Leffew, Laci Patton and Gabby Beaty.
The Dragonettes are now in District 5/AA along with Bledsoe County, Jackson County, Monterey, Sequatchie County.
“There’s no Upperman’s, Macon’s, Livingston’s and Dekalb’s,” said Green on the new district. “We’re going to miss the competitive nature and tradition of the previous district. This new district is definitely not as strong, but we’re hoping to be the top team. Sequatchie’s the only team we’ve played (in the new district). We’re going to make the best of this new opportunity.”
Along with their district slate, they will face a tough non-district schedule including Maryville, Stone Memorial, Cumberland County, Cookeville, Clay County and Pickett County.
“We tried to beef up the schedule as much as possible,” said Green. “We’re playing some extremely tough competition that will hopefully prepare us for the postseason.”
Green said his expectations are high for his team.
“We want to be competitive in every game we play,” said Green. “We obviously want to make it to the state tournament, last year we were one year away. This year, we’re hoping to get there and win it all. Hoping doesn’t mean anything, though. Nothing’s a given. We’ve got to make sure we don’t get over-confident, and that’s why I’m here to keep us humble.”
The Dragonettes will open the season Tuesday when they host Kingston. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.