With a new season to prepare for, the Lady Eagles basketball team is in for a tougher season in the new 6-A UIL district. As the year progresses, the team has made drastic changes in order to ensure an amazing season.

“To prepare for the sea- son, the coaching staff have gone to clinics, we’ve talked about and watched different videos on techniques,” Coach Jane Martin said. “We’ve even acquired a new assistant coach to help us with different types of plays.”

This year Akins has gained an alumnus to help as an assistant coach who will help the girl’s basketball team learn new plays.

“It’s a new position created specifically for Coach (Decreasha) Goodner, who graduated and played here at Akins,” Martin said.

The team has set their goals on making it to playoffs, while coming first in district, something that’s not happened in three years here at Akins.

“I want us to be successful this year, and making it throughout the year as a team,” said junior Brooklyn Childers.

Starting early, the girls have already begun practicing in the mornings, ahead of the season to grasp some of the changes they’ve started to go through this year.

“Practice can be hard at times for myself and girls,” Childers said. “The team learns from our mistakes during practice and we try our best and always have fun.”

Although its been difficult, it’ll greatly benefit the girl’s basketball team, which has made it in the playoffs multiple times.

Seniors like Chynna Rivera are looking forward to making their mark during the upcoming season, hoping to impress recruiters.

“Having a Division One looking at me right now is not only exciting but it makes me nervous,” Rivera said. “I want to play college ball because I love what I do and it keeps me sane.”

With a new coach, who has recently played college ball, she knows about the expectations of college coaches and can instill that knowledge into the girls. Martin speaks very highly of Goodner and encourages the girls to follow in Goodner’s footsteps.

“With Coach Goodner’s passion into the program, that’s one of the biggest changes that we have done to help our girls be more successful,” Martin said.

An assistant coach isn’t the only change the girl’s are going through this year. Akins moved into a new 6-A UIL district, which includes new opponents like Lehman and Hays.

“We have more teams to play, so it’ll be more of a challenge to make it to playoffs, while also making our season longer,” said senior Autumn Anderson.

With an increase in schools, Akins will have to play harder than before, if they plan on making it not only first in districts, but also advancing in playoffs.