The Southern Standard wants to take the opportunity to highlight the standout Boyd athletes. Partnering with Kevin Rhoton, we will be honoring a Bronco of the Month throughout the 2022-23 school year. Our December Bronco of the Month is Lady Bronco junior Laney Copeland.

Laney Copeland is quickly soaring up Boyd's scoring leaderboard. If she keeps her current pace, scoring 1,000 points will be a breeze. Making it to 2,000 may even be a reality.

Copeland continues to dazzle as a Lady Bronco, scoring 14.9 points per game while helping her team start 6-8 this season. She's been a knockdown shooter from the moment she put on the orange jersey, amassing over 800 points already despite enrolling at the school just last year.

"We knew right when Laney joined the team that she would be able to score - she's one of the best shooters around," said coach Tim Page. "Defenses are starting to really target her this year, but she's still finding ways to help our team. She's developing an all-around game."

Opposing coaches can often be heard yelling, "Find No. 20," every time the Lady Broncos are on offense, but Copeland still has slipped away to knock down 38 triples in 14 games. She's also starting to get to the basket more, where she shoots 55 percent on two-pointers.

The team's top scoring option is also learning to draw attention and find open teammates. She had just 11 assists in the team's first 10 games, but has handed out 11 more assists in the last four games, including a season-high four assists against the Bradley Knights.

Copeland is also making an impact on the other side of the court. She grabbed nine rebounds in a 70-35 blowout against the Knights and picked the pocket of DCA players five times in a 64-29 thumping on the road.

Boyd's superstar shooter can add to her rising point total this week. The Lady Broncos will be competing in the Dyersburg Christmas tournament, which will be played from Dec. 27-29.