Setting a school record for wins was a tremendous run for the Lady Broncos last year, but Boyd has unfinished business this winter. Coach Tim Page wants to make sure his squad leaves the court a winner in its final game this season.

Boyd will have to fill some big shoes before its opener next Thursday, but Page believes there is still plenty of firepower left on his roster to compete for championships. And, make no mistake, Boyd’s goals this year begin and end with hanging a banner by the end of the year.

“We want to build upon what we were able to accomplish last year,” said Page about the outlook this year. “I think we are deeper this year than we’ve ever been and that’s going to have us positioned well for the season.”

Gone are last year’s super seniors Lia Wright and Anna Jones, who both were huge contributors when Boyd went 36-4. Wright is now playing at Roane State and Jones won’t be around to knock down the triples that made her a 1,000-point scorer for the Lady Broncos, but there’s still a strong core in place.

Junior point guard Laney Copeland was a revelation in her first year with the program last season, scoring 17.1 point per game and going for 20 or more in 15 contests. Page noted that Copeland, already a great outside shooter, connected on over 40 percent of her 3-pointers this summer and could be poised for an even greater offensive season in Year 2.

Senior Audrey Durham can also fill it up, though the team’s most experienced player enjoys being a jack of all trades. Durham was among the team’s leaders in rebounds, blocks, steals and assists last year and keys the team’s diamond press with her athleticism on the back end. With a strong offensive year, Durham could also join the school’s growing list of 1,000-point scorers.

Junior guard Krista Chisam, a dynamic defender with expanding range, also comes back after getting major minutes during last year’s record-setting season. Chisam is another linchpin of the team’s attacking defense, capable of guarding the wing or post and always showing the willingness to go inside to grab big rebounds.

Emma Miller, who entered the lineup midyear last season after recovering from an ACL injury, adds more experience to the roster. Miller appeared in 29 games last season and has shown the ability to step out and stretch the floor during preseason practice.

“We have had another year together and the girls have become more familiar with each other’s strengths,” said Page. “We’re using those more to achieve our goals. This team may be the quickest we’ve had and that’ll make them exciting to watch.”

Boyd’s roster was retooled in the offseason, as coach Page has learned to deal with while being at a private school. Some contributors from last year opted to move to other schools, but it paved the way for new arrivals to get immediate playing time.

Paige Sweeton, a former Lady Pioneers at WCMS and WCHS, is likely to see big minutes at guard this year for the Lady Broncos. She’ll team up with her sister Regin Grissom, a blossoming post with a solid jumper. A huge freshman class is also making a name for itself already for Boyd.

Cydney Jane Perry is a long-time Lady Bronco who played some varsity during the last two years, but now she’ll be a fulltime high school player – and fulltime pest to opposing ball handlers – as a freshman. Shelby Miller and Kealey Simpson have been added after leading the Centertown Lady Warriors to a Warren County elementary championship last year, while Zoe Oliver and Anslee McCrary are youngsters with tools to be contributors early.

Coach Page believes his team’s expanding roster, which will allow him to schedule JV games this year, is a good sign for the health of the program going forward.

“It’s great to have so many girls – for a small school – that are like one family. The ability to work 5-on-5 in practice is going to prove valuable and being able to play JV games will help develop our young players and prepare them for the next few years,” said Page.

Boyd won’t have the element of surprise this season after winning 36 games, including seven against TSSAA opponents, but coach Page isn’t worried about his team’s mentality going into the season. His focus continues to be building the group into one cohesive unit capable of bringing home TSIAA and NACA crowns in February. Boyd played for the championship in both tournaments last year, but lost both games, including falling in the NACA finals in overtime.

That loss has been a driving force of motivation all offseason for the Lady Broncos.

“We want to make sure we are playing as one unit with the same goals this year,” said Page. “We also know we’re going to need some contributions from some freshmen this year.”

The Lady Broncos’ schedule this year includes matchups with TSSAA opponents Grundy County, LaVergne, Smyrna, Watertown and St. Andrew’s Sewanee as well as a full TSIAA slate. Boyd will also play in holiday tournaments in Pigeon Forge (Thanksgiving) and Dyersburg (Christmas).

Boyd starts its season next Thursday on the road against Franklin Road Christian, but will have to wait until Dec. 6 to make its home debut.  Next week’s tip-off is set for 6 p.m.