Pat Jones talks Nitro Girls Hoops

Photo Credit: Landon Persinger

We were able to catch up with the head coach of the defending class AAA champions Lady Wildcats. Pat had a lot to say of the current team.

After winning a state championship a few months ago the lady wildcats had a lot of expectations coming into this season, but they lost 2 key pieces from a year ago in Baylee Goins and Brooklyn Bowen. When asked how he got this team motivated Pat responded, “ We have to play as a team and that’s what we are getting through to these girls. We have to play team basketball this season and rotate the basketball and find the open shot.”

A lot of key players did return for the Lady Wildcats though headed into the season. Pat does have 4 seniors to lead this team back to Charleston. He has Emily Lancaster, Lena Elkins, Danielle Ward and sister Patricia Ward. These four will be a key to helping Nitro make another deep run to Charleston. “ This team is more family oriented and that’s what we teach here. It is We over Me.”

Junior guard Taylor Maddox burst onto the scene in a big way during the championship run a season ago. Also now with freshman guard Ava Edwards this could be a very dangerous team headed into the postseason.

Pats coaching will obviously be different this year compared to a season ago. When asked about how his philosophy has changed he answered, “ I have a great staff with JR and Swayne, JR installs it and I just yell it. This team will be more balanced with one scoring 15, two scoring 12 and so on.”

The defensive end of the floor looks to be the calling card for this nitro team and Coach Jones agreed, “ we have a lot of speed and length with this team which helps and also they are in shape.” Nitro is giving up on average 36.6 points per game and forcing 21.5 turnovers per game

The lady wildcats are getting better each and every game and will be dangerous when the post season gets here.