This basketball season saw a lot of new things for both the Donkeys’ and Lady Donkeys’ basketball teams. Both teams were headed by new coaches. The Donkeys had to regroup after losing eight seniors to graduation, while the Lady Donkeys had a majority of their team returning.

New head coaches Anglea Robnett and Justin Miller said there were some highlights this season as well as some not so bright spots.

A major highlight that Robnett said was two of her senior girls (Kyndalin Byrd and Sydney Kovar) reaching the 1,000 point club.

“That was a huge accomplishment for both of them to do,” Robnett said. “Both of those girls work hard and it was an honor to get to be a part of that during their senior year.”

Miller said one of the biggest highlights for his team wasn’t just an individual highlight, but a focal point as a team all season.

“One of the greatest things was seeing us work together as a team against some extreme adversity,” Miller said. “We battled adversity, but still learned how to be competitive all game long.”

Overcoming adversity was a big team goal the Donkeys had to meet this season.

“One of the goals we set at the beginning of the season was maintaining effort in the face of adversity,” Miller said. “We had to overcome some injuries early in the season, but everyone stepped up and did their part in what we needed to do. Another goal that we met and maybe one of the most important goals was being good sportsmen.”

The Lady Donkeys tried to meet the goals set by their coach and as a team.

“We always aim to be a better team, in all aspects of the game, than we were the game before,” Robnett said. “Sometimes, we achieved that goal and sometimes we fell short, but we always strived to be better.”

With any high school athletics program the graduation of its seniors can play into the future of the program. Coach Miller will be losing three seniors (Lucas Fitzgerald, Evan Hines, and Marshall Loveday) and says even though he only spent a year with them, he will miss his seniors.

“They have been important to this team,” Miller said. “These three were the guys that bonded everyone together as a family.”

The Lady Donkeys will be losing five seniors (Byrd, Kovar, Kaily Early, J’Cee Edwards, and Myckie Gagnon), Coach Robnett said they have been a vital part of the success of the team.

“Our seniors will be greatly missed,” Robnett said. “We have to replace most of our starting lineup, but I have complete faith in all of our girls and know they are willing and ready to step up and meet the challenge next season.”