HILLDALE HORNETS
GIRLS
Coach: Keni Jo Burns
23-24 Record: 10-14
Having been a standout high school player in her day, Hilldale’s second-year head coach Keni Jo Burns knows what it takes to form a good basketball team, and she is optimistic that the Lady Hornets have what it takes to get back on the winning side of the ledger this year.
“We have good talent returning and an exciting underclassmen group as well. I expect us to be a scrappy, hard working and resilient team in 2024,” said Burns.
A lot of what happens for the Hornets will be focused in the paint where Darian Diles (6-1, Jr.) returns.
“Darian is an athletic player who is extremely dominant inside on defense and alters many shots. She averages three blocks a game and can score inside and outside. She will be a difficult match up inside for opponents,” said Burns.
Also returning is guard Grace Nail (5-9, Jr.) who Burns expects to continue to improve this season. Senior leadership will be provided by Emma Noe (5-6), Kensley Allen (5-7) and Navaeh McNack (5-9). The Hornets feature a host of juniors that join Diles and Nail and will gain valuable experience this season led by Hannah Mocha (5-6), Lilly Beverage (5-6), Macie Mackey (5-7), and Ella Roach (5-6).
“Ella has a great work ethic. No matter how a practice or game is going, her effort is never in question. She brings the energy to the court and is a great teammate and overall great kid,” said Burns.
A pair of sophomores is also high on Burn’s list of expected contributors this year for Hilldale in Natalee Cope (5-8) and Charlee Medley (5-6).
“Natalee has improved tremendously since last season. She’s a great shooter, hard worker and is expected to come in and do some good things for us this season. I can’t say enough good things about Charlee. She works hard at all things and never expects anything in return. Her motor never runs out and she is highly coachable. She will be great at whatever she does because of her work ethic.”
Several freshmen have also caught Burn’s eye including Adyson Morse (5-6), Madilyn Moore (5-6), Me’kyah Johnson (5-9) and Lexi Campbell (5-8).
