Share via Instagram
1
Download photo or find a photo you prefer
2
Copy the text below to your clipboard
Mount Tabor Lady Spartans: A Season of Grit, Growth, and Promise for the Future https://create.play1.io/news/mount-tabor-high-school-womens-basketball-season-preview-2/
3
Go to the Instagram app and share the photo and caption to a post, your story, or via DMs
—and into the 4A state playoffs as the #32 seed.
One of the season’s defining victories came just after Christmas break, when the Spartans upset Davie County High School, the top team in the conference, on their home court. The victory sparked belief within the team and helped turn the tide of the season.
Senior Leadership: The Backbone of the Team
The Class of 2025 may have been small, but it played an outsized role in shaping the team’s identity.
#23 Shaymiah Bailey, a senior post player and returning CPC Player of the Year, led the team in nearly every statistical category—points, rebounds, assists, and blocks—while finishing just one steal shy of also leading in that metric. She was named CPC Defensive Player of the Year and earned All-Conference honors for her efforts. “She was our anchor and leader on the court,” said Coach Lyons. “We played through her, and she kept us in many games when we were struggling.”
#12 Ella-Ashleigh Fulp was the team’s “Swiss army knife,” contributing across positions one through four. Her energy and willingness to do whatever was needed—from defense to scoring to leadership—embodied the team-first mentality Coach Lyons aims to instill in his program.
#2 Keturah Kindle, another senior starter, made her mark as the team’s defensive specialist. Known for her relentless hustle, she was never afraid to dive for loose balls or disrupt an opponent’s offense. “She was pesky and active on defense and not scared to stick her nose into a play,” said Lyons.
Young Guns and Rising Stars
One of the most exciting storylines from this season was the emergence of several underclassmen who embraced bigger roles and gained valuable experience.
Sophomore #10 Millie Scurry took on the starting shooting guard role and delivered with consistency, leading the team in made three-pointers with 38. Fellow sophomore #15 Brooke Cilento, a power forward, had a breakout moment against Parkland High School, recording her first career double-double (16 points and 13 rebounds) and hitting the game-winning shot. #3 Kayden Grayson, another sophomore, brought energy and athleticism off the bench and led the team in steals, showcasing her growth from JV MVP to varsity contributor.
Junior #0 Amani Morris provided a crucial scoring spark, particularly from the perimeter. She finished the season with the highest free-throw and three-point shooting percentages on the team—a valuable asset for a squad still finding its offensive identity.
Freshman #24 Nki Hemingway, who was promoted from JV mid-season, showed signs of becoming a key player for the future. With a strong skill set and impressive size, her role expanded rapidly in the second half of the season, giving fans a glimpse of her potential.
Resilience Through Adversity
The Lady Spartans’ perseverance was on full display during one pivotal road game—a heated rivalry match played with two injured players, including a starter, and another player battling the flu. Despite the adversity, the team pulled off a gutsy win. “We didn’t let adversity get the best of us,” said Coach Lyons. “We kept working hard and had a ‘next player up’ mentality.”
This toughness became the team’s calling card, helping them weather injuries and grow stronger down the stretch.
Looking to the Future: Building a Foundation
Though the team says goodbye to three impactful seniors, Coach Lyons is optimistic about what lies ahead. The Spartans are poised for continuity for the first time in years. “For the past two seasons, we’ve graduated five seniors each year,” he said. “This will be the first year where EVERY player on the varsity roster has been in my system for multiple seasons.”
That consistency is critical as the Spartans aim to build on this year’s momentum. The sophomore class, which played an essential role this year, will now become the team’s core. Coupled with a talented JV pipeline that has posted back-to-back winning seasons, the foundation is set for continued growth and success.
“I’m looking forward to retaining more starters and playing experience for the next two seasons,” said Lyons. “I’m excited to see the growth and maturity of these players—not just their skills, but their confidence and leadership.”
Offseason Focus: Sharpening the Backcourt
Coach Lyons has a clear vision for the offseason: improve guard play. With the team expected to be guard-heavy in 2025–2026, the focus will be on ball-handling, shooting, and decision-making—key areas that can elevate close games into wins and fuel a deeper playoff run.
The Lady Spartans know that growth doesn’t just happen in the gym during the season—it’s forged during the offseason grind. With increased familiarity in the system, a deepening roster, and returning experience, Mount Tabor is ready to take the next step.
Final Thoughts
The 2024–2025 Mount Tabor Lady Spartans season may not have lit up the win column, but it sparked something far more valuable—a culture of resilience, growth, and belief. Led by standout senior Shaymiah Bailey and supported by an increasingly confident group of young players, the Spartans ended the season with momentum and a sense of purpose.
With Coach Richmond Lyons at the helm and a roster full of players who have bought into his vision, the future of Mount Tabor women’s basketball looks bright.
For full stats and game-by-game breakdowns, fans can visit the team’s profile on MaxPreps: https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/winston-salem/mount-tabor-spartans/basketball/girls/stats)
Share With