Led by four seniors who have known each other since preschool and played basketball together since first grade, the Lady Warriors know that their hardwood success is dependent on their family-like bond.
“I don’t want to play without them,” Jolie Summers said about her teammates.
The Maysville basketball team entered the postseason ranked #15 in Class B2 and is now competing in their second straight Area Tournament this week. In 2025, the Lady Warriors lost in the first round of Area, and they look to improve on that.
“It’s our last season. We want to play as many games as possible, and don’t want to cut it short,” Avery Riley said.
The team spends a lot of time together, not just on the court, but off. They will eat dinner together after practices and go out to celebrate big wins together. Lydia Harris will braid the other girls’ hair.
Before games, the team will pray together. The team motto for this year is “Leave no doubt.” A sign with the motto hangs above their home locker room door. The team members slap the sign on their way out to play.
“This is my favorite sport because I have great teammates and a great atmosphere, and it’s where I feel most comfortable,” Summers said.
These seniors were fifth-graders when Jordan Meija became the coach.
“This is a group I’ve had since I got here,” she said. “It’s sad, and the program will probably never be the same after they are gone. They are really good examples of hard work and really good girls on and off the court and really active in other organizations.”
The Lady Warriors lost 61-29 to #2 Pittburg Saturday in Tupelo in the Regional Championship. Despite the final score, Maysville created a lot of challenges for the Lady Panthers, including winning the second quarter 13-7.
“Beating them that quarter tells me we can compete with a lot of teams,” Meija said.
Summers led the scoring against Pittsburg with 9 points. Riley scored 7, Jaci McGowen 5, Sanders and Claire Mann 4 points each.
“I was really proud of the effort they gave the whole game,” Meija said. “That effort and hard work will help us win games as we continue in the playoffs.”
Being now in the consolation bracket presents its own challenges.
The team puts in a lot of preparation for each opponent. Girls watch film of their upcoming opponents at home before practicing how to respond to it during their regular practices together.
“It will be hard playing back-to-back days, and it will be hard coming off one game to play another game,” Allison Sanders said.
The Lady Warriors played Big Pasture Thursday at Noble (after press time). The winner will play the #13 Granite-Legacy Christian winner at 1 p.m. Friday. That winner will play the loser of the #2 Pittburg vs #8 Lookeba-Sickles game for the Area Consolation Championship at 6 p.m. Saturday.
However far the Lady Warriors go, they will be doing it together.
“We went into basketball with them, and now we’re going out with them,” Sanders said. “It’s win or go home for sure now. The last game, I am definitely going to cry. It’s going to be tough.”
