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Upstart Ezell-Harding girls basketball team excited for its present, future





Ezell-Harding players encourage their teammates from the sideline during a 55-33 win over Davidson Academy on Feb. 1.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Ezell-Harding players encourage their teammates from the sideline during a 55-33 win over Davidson Academy on Feb. 1.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

It’s been almost two decades since the Ezell-Harding Christian School girls basketball team won the Class A state title in 2002 and finished as the runner-up in 2003.

Recent years haven’t been as kind to the Lady Eagles.

Ezell-Harding struggled through five losing seasons from 2016-2021, advancing past the first round of the district tournament just once during that span.

But thanks to an influx of young talent this season, the Lady Eagles (17-8, 8-6 Division II-A District 4) have a chance to change that narrative.

Ezell-Harding will seek its first postseason win since 2017 when it hosts Davidson Academy (5-14) in the DII-A District 4 quarterfinals on Tuesday night.

“There are a lot of banners in the high school gym,” third-year head coach Michael Peters said. “We want to get back to the banners. We want to get back to where we’re winning 15-20 games a season and competing for district and region titles.”

If this season is any indication, the Lady Eagles may not be far from reaching those goals.

Ezell-Harding forward Brilee Price tries to dribble past a Davidson Academy defender.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Ezell-Harding forward Brilee Price tries to dribble past a Davidson Academy defender.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Four of Ezell-Harding’s top six scorers are in eighth or ninth grade. The only upperclassmen in that group are junior Amaya Thomas (14.8 ppg, 8.9 rpg) and senior Danielle Russell (5.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg).

Forward Brilee Price (11 ppg, 5.6 rpg) was one of three eighth graders – along with Mariyonna Burnett and Kennedy Thornton – who were called up to the varsity squad during preseason practice out of necessity. The Lady Eagles were down to six healthy players at that point.

All three have played regular minutes and been valuable contributors.

“We’ve been trying to adjust to playing with people who are older than us,” Price said. “It’s taken a lot of time to come together as a team, but we got there.”

Depth has been an issue for the Lady Eagles over the last few years.

During the 2019-20 season, Peters convinced a volleyball player to join the team just so the Lady Eagles could have a substitute to go with their starting lineup. Three COVID-19 shutdowns – including one that eliminated Ezell-Harding from the 2021 district tournament – made for a disjointed campaign last year.

Ezell-Harding junior Amaya Thomas dribbles the ball up the floor in transition against Davidson Academy.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Ezell-Harding junior Amaya Thomas dribbles the ball up the floor in transition against Davidson Academy.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Thanks in part to the team’s youngest players, Ezell-Harding has enjoyed more roster stability this season.

“This year feels like an actual season,” Thomas said. “I feel like we’ve been more successful as a team because we have more players who all know how to play basketball.”

Ezell-Harding’s most notable win to date came at home against Goodpasture on Jan. 28. The Lady Eagles won 64-61 in overtime, led by 26 points from Price and 20 from Thomas.

It was the program’s first win over Goodpasture since 2015.

“We have a mindset to not give up no matter what the score is – whether we’re up 20 or down 20,” Russell said. “That winning mindset (made the difference).”

Peters was initially concerned that victory might be the pinnacle of his team’s season, but the Lady Eagles responded with a 55-33 drubbing of Davidson Academy on Feb. 1.

Ezell-Harding's Danielle Russell takes the floor on senior night.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Ezell-Harding’s Danielle Russell takes the floor on senior night.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Still, Peters said his players aren’t looking too far ahead.

“I think the girls are hungry but also not taking anything for granted,” Peters said. “We know that one bad game this time of the season could be your last game. That’s kind of the attitude we have every day in practice.”

Ezell-Harding athletic director Jason Charlton, who also serves as assistant coach for the girls team, can’t help but think of what a return to basketball success could mean for the Antioch private school.

He’s hopeful this season is just a preview of what’s to come.

“The girls play fast, and they’re athletic and fun to watch,” Charlton said. “That creates excitement and buzz amongst our student body. They enjoy coming and watching them play. There’s excitement in the hallways about the potential for this team.”

Ezell-Harding head coach Michael Peters talks to his team during a timeout.JOEL CLINGER

Ezell-Harding head coach Michael Peters talks to his team during a timeout.JOEL CLINGER

Ezell-Harding's Kennedy Thornton attacks the Davidson Academy defense.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Ezell-Harding’s Kennedy Thornton attacks the Davidson Academy defense.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Mariyonna BurnettJoel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Mariyonna BurnettJoel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Brilee PriceJoel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Brilee PriceJoel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Ezell-Harding's Allyson McGill takes the floor on senior night.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Ezell-Harding’s Allyson McGill takes the floor on senior night.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Ezell-Harding's Allyson McGill defends Davidson Academy's Jillian Lane during the first quarter on Tuesday.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Ezell-Harding’s Allyson McGill defends Davidson Academy’s Jillian Lane during the first quarter on Tuesday.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Ezell-Harding junior Amaya Thomas drives toward the basket against Davidson Academy.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Ezell-Harding junior Amaya Thomas drives toward the basket against Davidson Academy.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Davidson Academy senior Jillian Lane brings the ball up the floor.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Davidson Academy senior Jillian Lane brings the ball up the floor.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Ezell-Harding freshman Reghan Williams brings the ball up the floor.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Ezell-Harding freshman Reghan Williams brings the ball up the floor.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Ezell-Harding head coach Michael Peters watches from the sideline on Feb. 1.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Ezell-Harding head coach Michael Peters watches from the sideline on Feb. 1.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Davidson Academy's Jillian Lane drives past a pair of Ezell-Harding defenders.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Davidson Academy’s Jillian Lane drives past a pair of Ezell-Harding defenders.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Davidson Academy head coach Kelsey Gregory watches from the sideline.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Davidson Academy head coach Kelsey Gregory watches from the sideline.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Davidson Academy head coach Kelsey Gregory watches from the sideline.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Davidson Academy head coach Kelsey Gregory watches from the sideline.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Ezell-Harding head coach Michael Peters talks to his team during a timeout.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Ezell-Harding head coach Michael Peters talks to his team during a timeout.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Davidson Academy head coach Kelsey Gregory talks to her team during a timeout.JOEL CLINGER

Davidson Academy head coach Kelsey Gregory talks to her team during a timeout.JOEL CLINGER

Davidson Academy's Gracie Wimsatt surveys the defense.JOEL CLINGER

Davidson Academy’s Gracie Wimsatt surveys the defense.JOEL CLINGER

Ezell-Harding's Mariyonna Bryant rejects Davidson Academy's Tonay Turner.JOEL CLINGER

Ezell-Harding’s Mariyonna Bryant rejects Davidson Academy’s Tonay Turner.JOEL CLINGER

Davidson Academy's Tonay Turner breaks the press.JOEL CLINGER

Davidson Academy’s Tonay Turner breaks the press.JOEL CLINGER

Davidson Academy's Jillian Lane drives down the baseline toward the goal.JOEL CLINGER

Davidson Academy’s Jillian Lane drives down the baseline toward the goal.JOEL CLINGER

Ezell-Harding's Brilee Price peers through the Davidson Academy defense.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Ezell-Harding’s Brilee Price peers through the Davidson Academy defense.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Mariyonna Burnett looks over a Davidson Academy defender.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Mariyonna Burnett looks over a Davidson Academy defender.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Ezell-Harding junior Amaya Thomas surveys the defense.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Ezell-Harding junior Amaya Thomas surveys the defense.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Ezell-Harding's Reghan Williams takes a 3-pointer from the wing.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Ezell-Harding’s Reghan Williams takes a 3-pointer from the wing.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Mariyonna Burnett fires a 3-point attempt.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Mariyonna Burnett fires a 3-point attempt.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Brilee Price surveys the defense.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Brilee Price surveys the defense.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Kennedy Thornton attempts a 3-pointer Tuesday against Davidson Academy.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Kennedy Thornton attempts a 3-pointer Tuesday against Davidson Academy.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Brilee Price gathers the ball for a layup attempt.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Brilee Price gathers the ball for a layup attempt.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Amaya Thomas scores an easy layup in transition.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Amaya Thomas scores an easy layup in transition.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Amaya Thomas splits a pair of Davidson Academy defenders to score two points.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Amaya Thomas splits a pair of Davidson Academy defenders to score two points.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Reghan Williams elevates for two points.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Reghan Williams elevates for two points.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Mariyonna Burnett welcomes Danielle Russell to the bench during a timeout.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Mariyonna Burnett welcomes Danielle Russell to the bench during a timeout.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Brilee Price makes a tough catch in transition.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Brilee Price makes a tough catch in transition.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Brilee Price surveys the defense.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Brilee Price surveys the defense.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Danielle Russell puts up a shot from below the basket.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Danielle Russell puts up a shot from below the basket.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Brilee Price attempts a layup against Davidson Academy.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Brilee Price attempts a layup against Davidson Academy.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Senior Allyson McGill checks out of the game Tuesday night in her final regular-season game at home.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

Senior Allyson McGill checks out of the game Tuesday night in her final regular-season game at home.Joel Clinger/Main Street Nashville

 

 

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