For Terrell High School girls varsity basketball player Kristen Davis, the decision to enroll in Terrell High School and play basketball was a no brainer. Afterall, basketball is a family tradition. Her mom, Mahogany Shaw, played basketball for the Lady Tigers and graduated from Terrell High School in 2002.
Kristen, who previously attended Mesquite ISD, moved to Terrell this past summer with her family to begin her junior year. When school started, she immediately reached out to the new Head Girls Basketball Coach, Renee Jones, and expressed her interest in playing for the team.
The Lady Tigers are currently in the process of rebuilding their basketball program. At the end of last school year there was one girls’ basketball team with seven players. This year, under the direction of Coach Jones, there are three teams and 31 players - a definite step in the right direction toward rebuilding the program.
Kristen shared that since arriving in Terrell she has experienced success both on and off the court. “There’s more of a family feel here in Terrell,” she shared. “I feel better because I know I am not just a number anymore. My classes are smaller and I have been able to improve academically.”
She also conveyed that for the first time in her high school career she made the A/B Honor Roll and that nearly all of her teammates are named to the coveted list each grading period.
The game of basketball has taught Kristen a number of skills including the importance of practicing patience. “I have learned to stay patient and remain calm even when things are not going my way,” she said. “Everything is not going to come to you when you want it to, and I know that having this skill will help me as I navigate adulthood.”
Being a part of a team that is rebuilding its program is something in which Kristen is most proud. Last year the team won four games. This year the team has more than tripled their number of wins. “It feels like we are coming together,” she said. “The dynamic of the team has changed and we are communicating with one another.”
No doubt, Coach Jones has played an integral role in the successful turnaround of the team and in Kristen’s personal life. “Coach Jones has taught me to control the controllables,” she shared. “I have learned that I only need to only worry about myself and my team - everything else is a distraction and keeps me from being able to play and to focus.”
Coach Jones has nothing but praise for this standout student athlete. “Kristen is a dedicated second-year basketball player who earned her spot on the varsity team. As a two-sport athlete, competing in both basketball and track, she also prioritizes her studies and is known as the team cheerleader. She brings energy and positivity and is an example of what it means to hustle.”
Now that the Lady Tigers have a few W’s in the win column, other teams are starting to take notice. “It feels good to win,” Kristen shared. “This season people have looked at us as the underdog, but we have a great team and we are building something special here. We are creating a new legacy.”