The King’s Academy girls varsity basketball team’s current season has been filled with more downs than ups — but hope springs eternal.
In recent years, the TKA team has had a series of deep postseason runs, largely due to the play and leadership of three seniors from last year’s team who are now playing college basketball.
“There is no replacing the trio of Jade Jones, Brielle George and Julia Vazquez,” said head coach Adam Lusk, in his first year as the head coach at TKA.
Jones is now playing basketball at the University of Houston, George is playing at Belmont Abbey College and Vasquez is on the women’s basketball team at Mineral Area College.
After 17 games this season, TKA is 7-10, but Lusk is confident that his squad can rally in late January, which will create momentum for the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 3A postseason, which gets underway in February.
This season, Lusk’s squad is young and enthusiastic. All season, Lusk has been relying on the leadership of his two seniors, Madelyn Buccilli and Sofia Rathbun, to bring consistency to the team.
“Madelyn and Sofia have been great leaders this season and are taking the younger girls under their wings. Everything we do is a team effort,” Lusk said. “They lead every drill, push the other girls and are also taking time out to teach the younger players. They lead us in almost every statistical category. You couldn’t ask for more from your only two seniors.”
Buccilli is the only returning full-time starter from last year’s team. She is currently leading the team in scoring (15.6 points per game) and rebounding (6.0 rebounds per game).
Like nearly every high school basketball team, the key to success is how a team responds to setbacks.
“We’ve been battling injuries, sickness and all the other challenges you can imagine, but we’ve still been competing in every game and putting out a good brand of basketball,” Lusk said. “I do love our young team this season, and they all get along so well. We have a ton of fun together, and we’re learning how to compete and improve.”
Like many teams, TKA has learned more about its potential after losing a tough game.
“I think that our best game to date was against Jupiter in the second game of the season, even though we came up short,” Lusk said. “We were down pretty good at halftime. We were able to fight back and cut it to two points late in the fourth quarter. A few young, inexperienced mistakes cost us that game, but we never gave up. We learned from it and have improved each week since.”
According to Lusk, each of his players make contributions to the team’s play in games.
Freshman Anna Birmingham knows how to score points. “Anna is a streaky shooter, and when she gets hot — watch out,” Lusk said.
Freshman Wren Vance is focused on stopping the opposition when she’s in the game. “Wren is a rebounder and an enforcer,” Lusk said. “She will be a good player in the future.”
Junior Ephrosyni Esopakis is determined to do the grunt work to help the team succeed. “Ephrosyni has been forced to play center for us,” Lusk said. “She is a good rebounder, a good teammate and a team leader.”
Eighth-grader Emerson Champion has a strong work ethic. “Emerson is a good rebounder and a tough defender,” Lusk said.
Freshman Jaelyn Tillett brings athleticism to the team. “Jaelyn is long, athletic and a good defender,” Lusk said. “She loves the game and has a ton of potential for the future.”
Junior Lalah Lyon has a tremendous mindset. “Lalah has a great attitude and really represents the kind of people we want representing our team,” Lusk said.
Freshman Kayla Charles is a true student of the game. “Kayla is long, athletic, learning the game and getting better each day,” Lusk said.
Eighth-grader Annabelle Bachman is a multi-dimensional player. “Annabelle is very skilled, can score and rebound,” Lusk said. “She is going to be a name to know soon.”
Sophomore Nora Barco is a very talented all-around player. “Nora gives us high energy on defense and is an additional ball handler,” Lusk said.
Freshman Lola Uriarte’s best days are in her future. “Lola is a practice player, who doesn’t get in the game much, but she has a good attitude,” Lusk said.
The team begins its postseason journey in early February when the Lions compete in the FHSAA Class 3A, District 11 tournament. The other teams in that tournament are American Heritage School of Delray Beach, Cardinal Newman High School, Inlet Grove High School and Somerset Academy-Canyons.
For TKA’s season to continue well into February and into the state tournament, a very strong showing will be necessary in the District 11 tournament.
