Building a Foundation: Lake Minneola Lady Hawks 2025 Women’s Basketball Season Recap
The 2025 winter season for the Lake Minneola High School Lady Hawks Women’s Basketball team was a year of rebuilding, growth, and promising potential. Under the leadership of Head Coach Samuel Weis, the team navigated a challenging schedule with a young roster, gaining invaluable experience and setting the groundwork for future success.
As the program works toward raising its competitive level, Coach Weis took time to reflect on the highs, lows, and defining moments of this past season, and shared his outlook for the Lady Hawks’ bright future.
Key Contributors: Emerging Leaders on Both Ends of the Floor
Coach Weis highlighted several players who stood out this season and played critical roles in shaping the Lady Hawks’ identity on the court.
Leading the team was Kaitlyn Humphreys, Class of 2027, who served as the overall team leader through her consistent performance on both offense and defense. Kaitlyn’s contributions were pivotal, offering stability and leadership in a young squad still finding its footing.
On the defensive side, sophomore Britney Julien (Class of 2028) earned the title of Defensive Player of the Season. Her tenacity, hustle, and commitment to lockdown defense were major assets for Lake Minneola, inspiring teammates to match her effort on that end of the floor.
One of the most exciting stories of the season was freshman Harley Velez (Class of 2028), who quickly made a name for herself. Recognized as 3rd Team All-County for Lake and Sumter counties, Harley was the Lady Hawks’ leading scorer and made an immediate impact with multiple double-digit scoring games. Her offensive firepower and poise as a freshman hinted at a bright future ahead.
Together, these three players formed a core around which the Lady Hawks’ program is beginning to take shape — combining leadership, defensive intensity, and scoring ability.
A Season of Learning: Ups and Downs on the Road to Competitiveness
Coach Weis described the 2025 season as “an up and down rebuilding season.” While the win-loss column didn’t always reflect success, the intangible lessons gained were invaluable.
“The team learned how to compete and the dedication necessary to win at a high level,” Weis explained. “There were tremendous highlights and upside from our freshmen and sophomore players, who began laying the foundation for what we’re building with the Lady Hawks basketball program.”
This process of rebuilding isn’t linear, and the Lady Hawks experienced their share of setbacks. However, the team’s growth was evident in their willingness to battle through all four quarters and test themselves against high-level competition — something Coach Weis emphasized as a turning point in the team’s development.
Defining Moments and Growth in Roles
A key moment of the season came from the collective grit of the Lady Hawks, fighting to remain competitive throughout every quarter of every game. This mentality was essential in shaping the team’s competitive edge.
Among the players who grew into bigger roles as the season progressed were the core trio of Harley Velez, Kaitlyn Humphreys, and Britney Julien. Each of them took on more responsibility and became vital contributors on both ends of the floor, anchoring the team’s efforts.
Harley’s scoring explosion was particularly noteworthy, with her multiple double-digit point games signaling her emergence as a future star in the program.
Facing Challenges: Lessons Learned from Adversity
Though the team showed flashes of promise, Coach Weis admitted that the Lady Hawks struggled at times to respond effectively to challenges such as injuries, tough losses, and pressure situations.
“Overall, we didn’t respond as well as we would have liked,” Weis said candidly. “There were moments where it seemed like we were beginning to put it all together, but the team gained experience from tough losses and learned what it takes to compete for 32 minutes every game.”
These experiences are often crucial in the growth of a young program, as players learn how to maintain focus and consistency over the course of a full game.
Senior Contributions: Leaving a Lasting Legacy
While the team was youthful, the senior class brought meaningful leadership, energy, and memorable moments to the program.
Coach Weis praised the seniors for creating “joyful moments” and memories that will last beyond their time at Lake Minneola High School. Their contributions helped anchor the team through a rebuilding phase and set a tone for younger players to follow.
Though the seniors’ time on the court may be ending, their impact on the culture and camaraderie of the Lady Hawks will continue to resonate.
Looking Forward: Building Momentum and Growing the Program
The most exciting part of Coach Weis’s outlook is the enthusiasm surrounding the future of Lady Hawks basketball.
“The focus on basketball as a whole program — between girls and boys — is growing,” he said. “We have more student athletes interested in playing basketball, and with 15 incoming freshmen girls wanting to join the Lady Hawks, we’ve built a core unit to continue growing from.”
This influx of new talent and the developing foundation among returning players gives the program a solid platform to work toward higher levels of success.
Coach Weis sees this growing enthusiasm as a key factor in building momentum for the program: “We’re working toward our goals and accomplishments, and the energy around the program is very encouraging.”
Offseason Goals: Sharpening Skills and Mindsets
Coach Weis is already looking ahead to the offseason with clear priorities for improvement.
“We’re focusing on developing a more aggressive, moving offense with a better understanding of when to attack and how to get to our spots,” he explained. “On defense, we want to lock down with a hard-fought mindset that creates more opportunities on the offensive end.”
This dual emphasis on offensive aggression balanced with intense defensive pressure reflects the kind of well-rounded basketball philosophy the Lady Hawks aim to embody moving forward.
Where to Follow the Lady Hawks
Fans interested in tracking the Lady Hawks’ progress can find comprehensive statistics and game results on MaxPreps Sports, the go-to source for high school athletics stats.
Conclusion
The 2025 winter season at Lake Minneola High School for the Lady Hawks Women’s Basketball team was more than just wins and losses — it was a season of learning, growth, and laying the groundwork for a promising future.
Led by standout performers like Kaitlyn Humphreys, Britney Julien, and freshman star Harley Velez, the Lady Hawks showcased talent and tenacity despite the challenges of rebuilding a program.
Coach Samuel Weis’s candid reflections reveal a team gaining valuable experience and developing the grit and cohesion needed to compete at a higher level. With a wave of incoming freshmen and the continued growth of young players, Lake Minneola’s Lady Hawks basketball program is poised to soar in the coming seasons.
As the offseason unfolds, the Lady Hawks are focusing on sharpening their offensive aggression and defensive toughness, aiming to turn lessons learned into tangible victories.
The future is bright at Lake Minneola, and the Lady Hawks are ready to build on their foundation — one game, one practice, and one hard-fought quarter at a time.
 earned the title of Defensive Player of the Season. Her tenacity, hustle, and commitment to lockdown defense were major assets for Lake Minneola, inspiring teammates to match her effort on that end of the floor.
One of the most exciting stories of the season was freshman Harley Velez (Class of 2028), who quickly made a name for herself. Recognized as 3rd Team All-County for Lake and Sumter counties, Harley was the Lady Hawks’ leading scorer and made an immediate impact with multiple double-digit scoring games. Her offensive firepower and poise as a freshman hinted at a bright future ahead.
Together, these three players formed a core around which the Lady Hawks’ program is beginning to take shape — combining leadership, defensive intensity, and scoring ability.
A Season of Learning: Ups and Downs on the Road to Competitiveness
Coach Weis described the 2025 season as “an up and down rebuilding season.” While the win-loss column didn’t always reflect success, the intangible lessons gained were invaluable.
“The team learned how to compete and the dedication necessary to win at a high level,” Weis explained. “There were tremendous highlights and upside from our freshmen and sophomore players, who began laying the foundation for what we’re building with the Lady Hawks basketball program.”
This process of rebuilding isn’t linear, and the Lady Hawks experienced their share of setbacks. However, the team’s growth was evident in their willingness to battle through all four quarters and test themselves against high-level competition — something Coach Weis emphasized as a turning point in the team’s development.
Defining Moments and Growth in Roles
A key moment of the season came from the collective grit of the Lady Hawks, fighting to remain competitive throughout every quarter of every game. This mentality was essential in shaping the team’s competitive edge.
Among the players who grew into bigger roles as the season progressed were the core trio of Harley Velez, Kaitlyn Humphreys, and Britney Julien. Each of them took on more responsibility and became vital contributors on both ends of the floor, anchoring the team’s efforts.
Harley’s scoring explosion was particularly noteworthy, with her multiple double-digit point games signaling her emergence as a future star in the program.
Facing Challenges: Lessons Learned from Adversity
Though the team showed flashes of promise, Coach Weis admitted that the Lady Hawks struggled at times to respond effectively to challenges such as injuries, tough losses, and pressure situations.
“Overall, we didn’t respond as well as we would have liked,” Weis said candidly. “There were moments where it seemed like we were beginning to put it all together, but the team gained experience from tough losses and learned what it takes to compete for 32 minutes every game.”
These experiences are often crucial in the growth of a young program, as players learn how to maintain focus and consistency over the course of a full game.
Senior Contributions: Leaving a Lasting Legacy
While the team was youthful, the senior class brought meaningful leadership, energy, and memorable moments to the program.
Coach Weis praised the seniors for creating “joyful moments” and memories that will last beyond their time at Lake Minneola High School. Their contributions helped anchor the team through a rebuilding phase and set a tone for younger players to follow.
Though the seniors’ time on the court may be ending, their impact on the culture and camaraderie of the Lady Hawks will continue to resonate.
Looking Forward: Building Momentum and Growing the Program
The most exciting part of Coach Weis’s outlook is the enthusiasm surrounding the future of Lady Hawks basketball.
“The focus on basketball as a whole program — between girls and boys — is growing,” he said. “We have more student athletes interested in playing basketball, and with 15 incoming freshmen girls wanting to join the Lady Hawks, we’ve built a core unit to continue growing from.”
This influx of new talent and the developing foundation among returning players gives the program a solid platform to work toward higher levels of success.
Coach Weis sees this growing enthusiasm as a key factor in building momentum for the program: “We’re working toward our goals and accomplishments, and the energy around the program is very encouraging.”
Offseason Goals: Sharpening Skills and Mindsets
Coach Weis is already looking ahead to the offseason with clear priorities for improvement.
“We’re focusing on developing a more aggressive, moving offense with a better understanding of when to attack and how to get to our spots,” he explained. “On defense, we want to lock down with a hard-fought mindset that creates more opportunities on the offensive end.”
This dual emphasis on offensive aggression balanced with intense defensive pressure reflects the kind of well-rounded basketball philosophy the Lady Hawks aim to embody moving forward.
Where to Follow the Lady Hawks
Fans interested in tracking the Lady Hawks’ progress can find comprehensive statistics and game results on MaxPreps Sports, the go-to source for high school athletics stats.
Conclusion
The 2025 winter season at Lake Minneola High School for the Lady Hawks Women’s Basketball team was more than just wins and losses — it was a season of learning, growth, and laying the groundwork for a promising future.
Led by standout performers like Kaitlyn Humphreys, Britney Julien, and freshman star Harley Velez, the Lady Hawks showcased talent and tenacity despite the challenges of rebuilding a program.
Coach Samuel Weis’s candid reflections reveal a team gaining valuable experience and developing the grit and cohesion needed to compete at a higher level. With a wave of incoming freshmen and the continued growth of young players, Lake Minneola’s Lady Hawks basketball program is poised to soar in the coming seasons.
As the offseason unfolds, the Lady Hawks are focusing on sharpening their offensive aggression and defensive toughness, aiming to turn lessons learned into tangible victories.
The future is bright at Lake Minneola, and the Lady Hawks are ready to build on their foundation — one game, one practice, and one hard-fought quarter at a time.){kind=tracking}
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