Lake City High basketball coaches, players discuss season

LAKE CITY — Some of Lake City High School’s key basketball players say they’ve long held an inspiration to play the sport and are now showcasing their abilities on the court.

Corey Baker said he began playing “organized” basketball in the ninth grade at the age of 15. He said Lake City varsity boys basketball head coach Willie Thomas persuaded him to play basketball because of his height.

Baker, a senior, said that while he is on the court, he thinks constantly of different plays. The only time he feels pressure, he said, is during the ending of a tight game.

“I don’t let it bother me,” Baker said of the pressure.

Baker, who is 6 feet 3 inches tall, said he is the team’s top rebounder and that he stays motivated during the season by watching college basketball games and NBA games on television. He said he admires college basketball players and NBA players and would like the opportunity to play basketball professionally one day.

After graduation, he plans to attend college and major in biology/pre-medicine, he said.

DaShawn Butler said he doesn’t mind pressure while on the basketball court; in fact, he likes it.

“I play through it,” Baker said. “I remain poised.”

Butler said he has played basketball since the age of 6 and that he was inspired to play the game by watching professional basketball games on television and attending basketball games at Lake City High School.

The junior said he is never scared while on the basketball court and that he values every possession of the ball. He’s also motivated by going to practice every day and honing his skills, he said.

He wants to attend college and play basketball, he said. In addition, the 6-foot-1 Butler also has played as the quarterback of the football team and runs track.
Thomas, who also serves the high school’s athletics director, said his goal for the team is to improve every day in every phase of the game.

Thomas said one of the many life lessons learned while playing basketball is the ability to work with people and adjust to various personalities.

Thomas said he has been a head basketball coach for 23 years and “believes” in what he is doing. He said the key is to get players on your team who also believe in what you’re doing.

Shanice Cooper said her love of basketball came while playing with her brother and his friends in their backyard. When she started playing basketball in high school, she was nervous, but has since loosened up and feels excitement in every game, she said.

Cooper, a 5-foot-9 senior, said she is a good shooter who dribbles well and is good on defense. When the pressure is on during a game, she remains in control, she said.

She said her coaches and teammates keep her motivated during the basketball season.

After graduation, Cooper plans to attend college and major in accounting, she said. She also plans to play basketball while in college, she added.

Cooper said she has even thought about pursing playing basketball professionally, but as of now she is still undecided.

Lateese Cooper said many people around her saw the potential in her to play basketball because of her height. She said she started playing basketball in the seventh grade, while a student at Ronald E. McNair Middle School.

The 5-foot-11 junior said her teammates keep her motivated and that she also remembers her goals of earning a college scholarship and becoming a professional basketball player. Aside from basketball, she would also like to become a physical therapist, she said.

While on the court, she is focused, excited and determined, she said. Her talents include working in the post and making free throws, she said.

Lake City varsity girls head basketball coach Charm Eaddy said in an e-mail interview that the team’s main goal this year is to finish first or second in the region so that it can host the first round of the playoffs.

At this point, Eaddy said, the team really needs to improve on fundamental skills, such as passing and ball handling.

“We learn life lessons daily,” said Eaddy, who has been coaching for nine years, three of which were spent in Greenville.

Being resilient on and off the court is probably the biggest life lesson learned, Eaddy said. Students often run into obstacles that they think they can’t overcome, she said.

“I teach them to never give up, no matter what is occurring,” Eaddy said.

She said her biggest challenge as a coach is motivating players to continually work hard to succeed both on and off the court. Many students want success, she said, but they want to obtain it the easy way.