TENAHA, Texas — It's been a promising year for the Tenaha Lady Tigers basketball team. After spending a few weeks at number one in the state, they finished the regular season ranked number two behind Lipan.
With a 33-5 record headed into the regional semifinals, the sky is the limit and the state tournament is right in the sights of the Tenaha girls. However, the same roadblock stands right in their way again this year. They'll take on Martin's Mill on Friday night in Athens, the same team that ended another historic season last year in the same round.
"It's tough when you've lost to the same team consecutive years on the same court over and over," said head coach Laura Holmes. "But we really just tried to tell them that it's a new season, a new coaching staff, and new philosophies."
Holmes has had a fantastic start to her first year as head coach in Tenaha. However, it's not a new place for her, having spent 2009 to 2013 with the Lady Tigers. She had various stops in between, with the last of them as head coach with Crandall ISD. Now, she's back home and building a new 2A dynasty in Shelby County.
"Tenaha was an incredible place when we were here the first time. An opportunity came up to coach these girls that I had in pre-K, kindergarten, PE," Holmes said. "It's been super special to me and of course we want the ending to be a state championship."
If Tenaha were to make it to San Antonio for the state tournament, a very familiar opponent looms directly ahead in their next matchup. The number four ranked Martin's Mill Lady Mustang program is the epitome of basketball domination. They've made the state tournament 14 out of the last 16 years, with six total state championships. Additionally, they shut down this Tenaha squad last year to end their hopes of going all the way.
But like Holmes mentioned, this is a different team and staff now. Some of the top talent remains, like seniors Kayanna Cox and Lataejha Steadman. They also boast one of the toughest schedules in the state, which was intentionally created to prepare them for the tough battles ahead like the game against Athens.
"Playing bigger teams makes our energy come out, a bigger side of us comes out," said senior guard Kennedi Holmes. "The 5A and 6A teams that we played have really prepared us for Martin's Mill and all the playoff rounds."
There's a new buzz in the Tenaha air as Friday quickly approaches. It's joined by a newfound hope and confidence, as those around the community have been patiently waiting for success like this. They'll likely fill the gym in Athens as they hope this could finally be that magical year.
"We're confident going into this and we believe our community is confident in us as well," Holmes said. "We really want to bring it back. We have a lot of people in Tenaha that are generational community members. I think they've been waiting a long time for this."
The 2A regional semifinals game between No. 2 Tenaha vs. No. 4 Martins Mill will tip off at 6 p.m. Friday at Athens High School.