The past few seasons have been frustrating for the Oak Hill girls basketball team.
Defensively the Red Devils have been stellar. Not so much on the offensive end of the floor.
With a more mature and skilled team for the 2024-25 season, head coach Darrell Compton is hoping his team can get the ball in the basket with more regularity.
“The plan is to run at a high gear and play like I have always wanted to play. Defensively we have always been pretty good. Offensively we have struggled,” Compton said. “Last year we held teams to 45 points per game, but we only scored 49. We were 12-11 last year, which was a step forward. We competed in most games pretty strong and I could tell we were close.”
Senior guard Taysia Gray is the heartbeat of the Oak Hill squad and she will be flanked by two fellow-seniors, Jordan Harris and soccer standout Kerrisyn Feazell.
“Taysia has started since she was a freshman. Jordan is more of a post player, but she likes to play guard and she can play guard. She is strong and athletic. We were starting to roll last year and Jordan Harris tore her other ACL. So, we are slowly working her back into shape,” Compton said. “Kerrisyn really stepped up this summer. I want her to just do what she does on a soccer field. Just let go. She has done that so far and is more confident in everything that she is doing.”
Depth up top will not be an issue for the Red Devils who will also get strong play from juniors Kasey Compton, the coaches’ daughter, and another soccer standout in Jada Wilburn.
“Kasey has really put in the work and Jada is just a natural born athlete,” Compton said. “We are loaded with guards and we have some girls that can go. I am excited to see where they all end up. We are deeper team than we have ever been and we are more experienced. More confident.”
Adding more at the guard position will be Addy Isaacs who moved over to Oak Hill after playing at Midland Trail. Isaacs will also be coming off an ACL injury that derailed her junior season.
“Addy Isaacs is strong and really quick. She adds a different feel for us,” Compton said. “She played travel ball with Taysia and they all like each other. She has fit right in and there wasn’t any animosity about it.”
Compton also feels he has a couple of freshman, Bella Holley and Kinsley Dove, along with sophomore Bailey Peters who could see some varsity action.
Oak Hill does have a key position to fill left by graduation, but Compton is hoping he had duo that can step up to the challenge.
“We lost Cara Smith who was a double-double machine. We have Natalie Craddock and Ali Williams that I am excited about. Hopefully they can fill that gap for Cara,” Compton said. “Natalie played a lot last year and she really went to work this summer. She is a strong player that can move. She learned how to jump in volleyball. I think that was really good for her. Ali Williams is another year older and more mature as well.”
Oak Hill opens on the road at Mount View on Dec. 4.
