sticky Posted November 6, 2006 Report Posted November 6, 2006 Gray hopes to keep REL ahead of schedule By Doyle Barlow Baytown Sun Published November 5, 2006 When Terry Gray was hired to take over the girls basketball program at Lee High School, he had a modest four-year plan. The plan was to win two games his first year, four the second, eight the third, and then in the fourth year, REL would be on track to win 16 games and the program would be on its way to respectability. A nice plan, but like most coaches, Gray is a touch impatient. Especially after the Lady Ganders won seven games last season, the second. That means that even though Gray’s master plan calls for REL to win only eight games this season, he’s not going to be satisfied with only a one-game improvement over the 2005-06 campaign. “One of my assistants told me that we only need to win one more than we did last year,†Gray said. “But I’m not going to be happy with that. I think we have a chance to be better than that.†Gray will be relying on a youth movement for that improvement. Of the 10 players on the varsity roster, six are sophomores and four of those will be in the starting lineup Tuesday night, when REL opens the season at home against Rosenberg Lamar. “This is the first class that I’ve had out of junior high,â€Gray said. “Anytime you start four sophomores at this level, that says a lot. “They’re going to be fun and exciting to watch, but they’re going to make sophomore mistakes. They need to become juniors in a hurry.†Sophomore T.J. Hart (5-6), a part-time starter as a freshman, will play point guard, with Damequia Montgomery (5-10), also a starter as a freshman, slated to play in the pivot. “T.J. has really matured a lot, both on and off the court,†Gray said. “Her game is better and the only thing she’s missing is a lot of varsity experience. “Damequia really benefited from our weight program in the offseason. We want to have some balance so we’ll count on her inside to open up the perimeter for T.J.†Christina Crone (5-8), the only senior starter, will play power forward. “This is Christina’s fourth year on the varsity so it’s time for her to step up for us,†Gray said. The Lady Ganders will rotate three sophomores —Merrie Hyltin (5-7), Shareta Godfrey (5-6), Katherine Henderson (5-8) — in the shooting guard and small forward spots. Gray has been especially pleased with the arrival of Henderson, a move-in from Port Arthur. “She (Henderson) is a lefty, combo guard,†Gray said. “She’s solid and has a strong build. She’s a good complement to T.J.†Off the bench, Gray will be counting on senior Hali Garcia (5-8) and sophomore Shauniece Lewis (5-8) at post, and seniors Pam Brooks (5-6) and Kinnisha Joseph (5-6) on the perimeter. “Pam’s kind of the glue,†Gray said. “She’s even-keeled and kind of takes care of the rest of the team.†The table is set for the Lady Ganders to get off to a good start, with nine of their first 10 games at home. With the Lady Gander Tip-Off Classic scheduled for next week, REL will play five games at home next week. “I think that gives us a chance to get some confidence early,†Gray said. “We have 19 home games this year and there is a method to my madness. I didn’t want to take a young team on the road a whole lot.†In District 21-5A, Gray thinks Humble and Memorial are the favorites for the top two positions. But after that, he thinks the next two playoff spots are up for grabs. “The other two spots are wide open,†Gray said. “Whoever stays healthy and is able to jell in the first month has a chance.â€
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