Lady Jays Basketball

04/25/2026

01/09/2026

Last but not least!! Due to break and some email difficulties, we have our final Weekly 8th grade Spotlight!! (Owyn says she never checks her email 😂😂😂)

Week 12 of our 8th grade Spotlight!!

Name: Owyn Mendenhall
Jersey Number: 12
Position: Guard

How many years have you been playing basketball?
*I think around 3 years

Did you know growing up that you wanted to play basketball? Who was your basketball influence?
*Yes, mostly my friends because they talked about how fun it was.

What has been your favorite part about being a Lady Jays basketball player?
*The team is super sweet and supportive!

Favorite part about practice?
*Getting to shoot around!

Favorite part about games?
*Getting hyped before the game with the whole team!

Is there a significance about your jersey number?
*I was #12 in past years

Favorite basketball player at any level?
*Caitlin Clark

Do you see a future career in basketball? High school? College? Professional?
*Maybe in High School!

01/05/2026

I saw this and wanted to share in case anyone is interested! I will post the link I found down below!

https://www.pantherbasketballacademy.com

12/21/2025

This is your sign that small town girls can make it big...https://www.facebook.com/share/1FiegWGxAQ/

12/09/2025

Week 10 of our 8th grade Spotlight!!

Name: Natalie Goodson
Jersey Number: 5
Position: Guard

How many years have you been playing basketball?
*2 years

Did you know growing up that you wanted to play basketball? Who was your basketball influence?
*Not really, until I started playing Saturday morning basketball at the high school, then I started to like it. My influence had to probably be my friends that played basketball.

What has been your favorite part about being a Lady Jays basketball player?
*Connecting with my teammates and coaches.

Favorite part about practice?
*When we get to learn new plays or drills.

Favorite part about games?
*When I get to play defense because that’s what I’m best at! I also really loved bus rides, especially on the way to East St. Louis because the music we were playing was pretty fire!

Is there a significance about your jersey number?
*Not really!

Favorite basketball player at any level?
*Paige Bueckers

Do you see a future career in basketball? High school? College? Professional?
*Im not sure yet, but I might play in High School

12/09/2025

Proud of one of our Lady Jays! 💙🤍

Congratulations to the following Outstanding Sportsmanship Pin Winners!

#41 Brooke Coalson from Staunton
#21 Kaylee Doathager from Greenville

Way to go, girls! 👏🏻🏀

12/08/2025

Week 11 of our 8th grade Spotlight!!

Name: Maelynn Schneck
Jersey Number: 31
Position: Post

How many years have you been playing basketball?
*5 years

Did you know growing up that you wanted to play basketball? Who was your basketball influence?
*I’ve known growing up that I wanted to play sports and basketball stuck with me. My influence is my private lessons coach, Kayla Hola.

What has been your favorite part about being a Lady Jays basketball player?
*My favorite part was getting to create a family through the game of basketball.

Favorite part about practice?
*Getting to run new plays.

Favorite part about games?
*When we were locked in and the games ran smoothly.

Is there a significance about your jersey number?
*I was assigned my jersey number in 6th grade and I wanted to keep it throughout my Junior High basketball career.

Favorite basketball player at any level?
*Kelsey Mitchell

Do you see a future career in basketball? High school? College? Professional?
*I want to play basketball in High School

12/06/2025

Congratulations to #21 Kaylee Dothager for earning the Sportsmanship Award tonight!

12/05/2025

Staunton wins the regional on their quest to win back to back state titles. Best of luck to Staunton. Great season Jays, 18-2 record!

12/05/2025

It has been a crazy couple weeks between Thanksgiving Break and our First Snow Day! We’ve missed a couple weeks of 8th grade Spotlights; so here we go!!

Week 9 of our 8th grade Spotlight!!

Name: Mya Neely
Jersey Number: 11
Position: Guard

How many years have you been playing basketball?
*6 years

Did you know growing up that you wanted to play basketball? Who was your basketball influence?
*Yes! I didn’t really have one until Caitlin Clark went to the WNBA.

What has been your favorite part about being a Lady Jays basketball player?
*The connections I’ve made with all of my teammates.

Favorite part about practice?
*Running offensive plays.

Favorite part about games?
*Shooting 3’s and winning obviously!

Is there a significance about your jersey number?
*No, not really. I have had it for all of my basketball seasons.

Favorite basketball player at any level?
*Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, or Naphessa Collier.

Do you see a future career in basketball? High school? College? Professional?
*College and maybe WNBA.