A common misconception is that Purvis’ girls basketball program hasn’t had a whole lot of success throughout its history, but head coach Michael Thornton knows that not to be the case.
“I was at Forrest County for 26 years. At the turn of the century, Purvis was really strong,” Thornton said. “I know we beat them back-to-back years in 1999 and 2000 when Purvis was probably one of the top 20 teams in the state.”
Entering his third year at Purvis, Thornton is tasked with getting the program back to the top. It appears to be headed in the right direction. In Thornton’s first year on the job back in 2015, the Lady Tornadoes went 6-17. Last year they finished 14-15. Now headed into the 2017-2018 season, Thornton is expecting bigger and better things.
“This is a key year for our program,” Thornton said. “We need to take that step forward this year. We let a couple of games slip away last year late that kept us from having a winning record. We need to take care of those late game situations better this year.”
Thornton knows all of that is possible with the team he has coming back. All of his starters from a year ago return, including their leading scorer, senior Kennedy Hudson. Hudson averaged just over 18 points a game last season for the Lady Tornadoes. She will head up what Thornton calls the strength of this year’s team.
“It’s a good class that’s very guard-oriented,” Thornton said. “I feel like the strength of our team will be defensively with our guards.”
Including Hudson, five of the team’s seniors are expected to make heavy contributions. Azavia Allen, Jade Dement, Deshona Shaheed and April Williamson help make up that group. Sophomores Bree Lowe, Stephanie Ryals and Karson Suire will also play a lot. All in all, that group averaged 50 points a game last year.
“Experience is the biggest thing,” Hudson said. “We’ve had a bunch of young players, but being able to return everybody and getting more minutes last year, it will help a ton this year.”
Hudson, who holds an offer from PRCC, will lead the way and is just a few points away from reaching a major career milestone.
“I need 11 points to hit 1000 for my career, so that’s a goal. More free throws, more points. Those kind of things.”
Also, win more games.
“We don’t want to be competitive. We want to win,” Thornton said. “This year, we need to get that signature victory. Beating somebody good could get us over the top and get us confident.”
Thornton and the Lady Tornadoes will open the 2017-2018 season next Tuesday at home against Lumberton.
