RED SPRINGS — The end of last season left a bad taste in Steve Sinclair’s mouth.

After winning a share of the Three Rivers Conference Championship, the Red Springs girls basketball team limped to the finish with an unexpected home loss in the second round of the NCHSAA 2A state playoffs.

The 18-9 finish and playoff result sparked a fire inside the Lady Red Devils this offseason — one Sinclair hopes produces a better output this year.

“We always look at everything in steps,’ said Sinclair, the conference’s reigning co-coach of the year. “The first step was making sure we got over the hurdle in winning the conference. Last year, we did that.

“Going forward, we want to build on that and learn how to win in the playoffs.”

With Taya Jones and Sha’nia Leach leading an experienced group, the Lady Red Devils enter the season as the heavy favorites to repeat as conference champions, with a good chance to make some noise in the NCHSAA 2A state playoffs.

Jones, the team’s top scorer, averaged 14.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.3 steals per game as a sophomore for the Lady Red Devils. The steady success in her first two years turned some heads at the Division I level — and earned her a scholarship.

“It was exciting to get a D-I offer,” said Jones, who committed to North Carolina A&T this summer. “The (NC A&T) girls communicate well and they’re friendly.”

Along with Jones, Leach provides another reliable presence in the backcourt for the Lady Red Devils, who boast a similar look to Lumberton in skill and experience.

As “Ms. Everything” for Red Springs, Leach is a triple-double threat every night she steps on the court. She averaged a team-best 5.5 steals per game, with 8.8 points, 4.7 assists and 6.8 rebounds during her junior campaign. Leach also recorded a quadruple-double, tallying 10 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists and 10 steals in a win over West Columbus.

For Sinclair, it’s comforting to know he has two dependable, talented guards.

“It actually does make it a lot easier,” he said. “At any point in the game, when things are going south, it calms down the team. When you look at them from a defensive standpoint, there aren’t many guards that can get by them. It gives us confidence for any weaknesses we may have.”

Kyria and Kelsey Locklear return as reserves in the backcourt, with Victoria Henderson providing a 3-point shooting threat off the bench. In the frontcourt, Sinclair is looking for Sanastasia Poweel and Taylynn Atkinson to carry the load.

“A pleasant surprise for us has been Sanastasia,” he said. “In the past she’s always been able to do the things we’ve asked — rebounding — and now she’s scoring. Kelsey has grown for us too and we’re hoping for the emergence of Taylynn with another year to grow a little bit.”

With a wealth of experience and talent, Leach feels the team is ready to take the next step in challenging for a state championship.

“I think we’re more excited,” Leach said. “We know we can win the conference and we’re more confident. We have the communication down and we know how each other feel.”

And the goals are simple.

“To win conference again and to go further in the playoffs, that’s what we want,” she said. “I want to get past the second round. (Losing last season) was a lot of motivation for us.”

Wilkerson leads guard-heavy Red Devils

Coming off an injury plagued season, Red Springs point guard Monte’ Wilkerson hopes this year will be more like his nickname: Smooth.

“I got (that nickname) when I was younger, going to different camps and stuff,” said Wilkerson, who averaged a team-best 3.7 assists last season. “It stuck and I just rolled with it.”

As the junior leader for a guard-heavy Red Springs team, Wilkerson knows what to expect on a daily basis from Red Devils coach Glenn Patterson.

“I’m in a good position, but he stays on me and it makes me better and my teammates better,” he said. “Mainly, it’s about defense and not turning the ball over.”

Red Springs finished with an 18-11 record last season, losing in the second round of the NCHSAA 2A state playoffs. Patterson and Wilkerson feel the team is on track for greater things this season.

“Monte’ is ready for the challenge,” Patterson said. “He’s been the leader we need. I think the 12 guys we’ve returned have bought in to what we need in order to have a successful season.”

Like Patterson, Wilkerson pointed to the returners as an advantage for the Red Devils.

“We’re deep,” he said. “We have a lot of good players back and everyone is giving the effort.”

Red Springs lost its top player to transfer in Tavion Atkinson, who averaged a team-best 14.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per game last season. But Caleel Mitchell, arguably the best 3-point shooter in the county, returns alongside veterans Shamar Bowers and Eric Graham.

“The guys have gelled,” Patterson said. “They’re playing together as a unit, sharing the ball. I think that unity is there more than it has been the last couple of years. It’s going to be a plus for us this season. Plus, they all can shoot the ball really well.”

Patterson said he’s looking for Graham, better known as “Buddy”, to be the team’s engine this season.

“I put the burden on Buddy to be our spark every night,” he said. “He’ll bring the rebounding power to us, and do whatever it takes to win the ball game.”

And Graham has no problem filling that role in his senior season.

“(Patterson) expects leadership out of me,” said Graham, who averaged 11 points and 7.6 rebounds last season. “It’s exciting to be in that role. When I get to rolling, everyone follows. He feels the seniors can lead us to winning a championship.”

Rodd Baxley | The Robesonian Red Springs guard Taya Jones (12), who committed to Division I North Carolina A&T this summer, returns as the leading scorer for the Lady Red Devils. She averaged 14.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.3 steals per game last season.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_DSC_0045.jpgRodd Baxley | The Robesonian Red Springs guard Taya Jones (12), who committed to Division I North Carolina A&T this summer, returns as the leading scorer for the Lady Red Devils. She averaged 14.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.3 steals per game last season.

Rodd Baxley | The Robesonian file photo Point guard Monte’ Wilkerson (4) leads a guard-heavy Red Springs team into the season. Wilkerson averaged a team-best 3.7 assists per game last season.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_wilkerson2.jpgRodd Baxley | The Robesonian file photo Point guard Monte’ Wilkerson (4) leads a guard-heavy Red Springs team into the season. Wilkerson averaged a team-best 3.7 assists per game last season.
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By Rodd Baxley

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Reach Rodd Baxley via email or on Twitter @RoddBaxley.