Dodson Lady Coyotes Basketball

The Dodson Lady Coyotes will enter this season under new management as new Head Coach Deserae Kill Eagle will enter her first year under her new title. Coach Kill Eagle was formerly an assistant coach for the Lady Coyotes for five seasons.

The team ended their 2015-16 campaign swinging as they lost 44-29 to the Lustre Christian Lady Lions in the elimination bracket of the 3C District Tournament in Malta last February.

Last year's team was led by eighth grader Kailee Henry, who transferred to Harlem last year. Still, the Lady Coyotes boast plenty of young talent and hope to make a splash in the 2017 post-season.

The team boasts one senior, three juniors, two sophomores, one freshman and three eighth graders.

Now a freshman, Christina Jaynes was able to make a name for herself as a starter for the young and scrappy Lady Coyotes last season.

"Christina is one of our all-around players," Coach Kill Eagle said. "If we have a ball-handler in there, she will be one of our main posts. She is a rebounding powerhouse, so she's an essential part of our team."

The team's lone senior, Mikaeya Runsabove will start as a shooting guard for Dodson.

"She is very coachable, she's willing to do anything we ask her to do," Coach Kill Eagle said. "She is ready to learn and eager to play. She is a breath of fresh air... and she is a beautiful young lady inside and out. She is a very resilient young lady."

Junior Donna Dale is another returning starter from last season. Dale, a forward, has played with Dodson since eighth grade.

"She's one of the leaders, who steps up without having to be asked," Coach Kill Eagle said. "She is a leader by action."

The team will be without one of their top defenders from last season, Kyla Racine who is recovering from a knee injury. Racine is due to come back after Christmas Break.

"We won't have her back until after Christmas but she is already showing her dedication by coming to practice," Coach Kill Eagle said.

The team will also be without a couple other players until practice requirements are met.

"We have a few players that won't be able to play right off the bat, and out of those eight players, three of them are eighth graders," Coach Kill Eagle said. "She is encouraging others at practice and she does what she can considering that she is recovering from her knee surgery."

The team will start eighth grader Melony Fetter at point guard this season.

"She's a very talented basketball player, who is also very basketball savvy," Coach Kill Eagle said. "She understands the game. She's a very good-handler with great work ethic. She's very aggressive and plays good defense."

Eighth grader Tiffany Cliff will round out Dodson's starting rotation to start the 2016-17 season. She will also play guard for the Lady Coyotes.

"Tiffany is one of those girls who is a natural," Coach Kill Eagle said. "She understands the game. She's a hustler who is very quick and she is getting strong and stronger as we go along."

This season the team will be running a motion based offense, which will look to get shooters open.

For defense, the team will focus on man to man.

Coach Kill Eagle will be assisted by her sister Francine Kill Eagle.

The new coaching staff hopes to make the game enjoyable for the young team, while also setting goals in a timely basis.

"We're going to take it day by day," Coach Kill Eagle said. "I don't expect them to have to come out and prove anything. We're there to work on ourselves, our team and have fun. I don't think you really get 100 percent out of the girls if they're not enjoying it."