Dougherty girls’ basketball shows growth, defeats Westside and Terrell County

ALBANY — The Dougherty Lady Trojans aren’t just winning summer basketball games. They’re learning how to play the way head coach Ervin Josey wants them to play.

That process continued Tuesday afternoon at Monroe’s Summer Play Day, where the Lady Trojans picked up a pair of victories, defeating Westside-Macon 29-18 before closing the day with a 24-18 win over Terrell County.

For Josey, however, the most encouraging developments had little to do with the final scores.

Instead, he saw a team growing in confidence, processing the game more quickly and becoming increasingly comfortable with Dougherty’s pressure-filled style of play.

“One thing that has really stood out this summer is the growth in confidence and basketball IQ,” Josey said. “Our players are beginning to understand the game at a deeper level and are making better decisions on both ends of the floor. They are becoming more comfortable competing against quality competition and are showing a willingness to be coached.”

The growth was evident in the opening game against Westside, now led by former Calhoun County head coach Cornelius Walker.

The Lady Trojans found themselves trailing 7-6 early before settling into the game and taking control with an 8-0 run.

Rising senior Dariona Simmons provided the spark. She jumped into a passing lane for a steal and raced the other way for a layup that pushed Dougherty in front 14-7.

The Lady Trojans carried a 14-9 advantage into halftime and never looked back.

In the second half, rising freshman Zy’Deriacka Harris showcased the aggressive style Josey wants from his players. Harris came up with a steal, converted a layup and added the free throw after being fouled to stretch the lead to 21-11.

Moments later, Josey dialed up full-court pressure, and the Lady Trojans turned defense into offense while pulling away for the 11-point victory.

Dougherty carried that momentum into its second game of the day, knocking off Terrell County 24-18 to complete a perfect afternoon.

Josey believes the summer work is beginning to pay dividends as his players learn the difference between playing fast and playing hurried.

“What has impressed me the most is how our players are adapting to our style of play,” Josey said. “They are getting more comfortable playing fast, but doing it at a controlled pace. We’re learning that playing fast doesn’t mean playing rushed. It means pushing the ball, making quick decisions and staying under control while applying pressure to our opponents.”

That balance is exactly what Josey hopes to see when the games begin to count later this year.

Until then, each summer workout, each defensive stop and each victory represents another step forward for a young team still learning its identity.

“As a program, we’re continuing to grow every week, and the foundation we’re building this summer will help us become the team we want to be when the season arrives,” Josey said. “The effort, attitude and willingness to learn have been outstanding.”

If Tuesday was any indication, the Lady Trojans are beginning to understand exactly who they want to become.