COURTLAND
Despite retiring as athletic director and assistant principal in 2013, Littleton Parker will once again roam the sidelines at Southampton High School. Parker led the Indians to several championships in his 30-plus years as the head football and boys basketball coach, but must step in as the leader of the girls basketball team after the departure of Aronda Bell.

Bell led the Lady Indians to the Virginia High School League’s Basketball Tournament in 2011, ending the school’s 27-year playoff hiatus, but will not return after the team failed to meet those same expectations, thereafter. Her tenure ended with three-consecutive losing seasons.

With no returning starters, resurrecting the program from scratch may be Parker’s toughest task yet.

“We’re a very young team. We just have to take it one game at a time and make sure we’re well prepared.”

NUMBERS TO KNOW

5 – The Lady Indians will play five of their first seven games on the road, including trips to Appomattox Regional Governor’s School, Brunswick, Franklin, Park View and Windsor.

7 – Parker noted that there are a total of seven freshman or sophomores on this year’s team. “We really have not found five players that gel together enough to say they’re starters.”

CAST OF CHARACTERS

A two-sport athlete, Bryona Knight saw significant playing time as a freshman on the Lady Indians basketball and softball team. Despite that, Parker still sees room for the sophomore to grow. “She has all of the leadership ability in the world; I see it in practice.” Moving into the starting point guard slot, Parker thinks the team will go as far as Knight takes them.

Also a sophomore, center Jordan Lee will be Knight’s go-to option down low. “She’s the wild card for our entire season,” said Parker. “She hasn’t really done anything of note, yet, but she’s been working hard in practice.” Lee led the Lady Indians in rebounding last season.

SCHEDULE

All varsity games start at 7 p.m. Bolded games are at home. Dates for the Tri-Rivers District, Conference and Region 3A East tournaments have yet to be determined.

Dec. 2 – Charles City
Dec. 4 – Charles City
Dec. 8 – Franklin
Dec. 10 – Windsor
Dec. 12 – Park View
Dec. 15 – ARGS
Dec. 17 – Sussex
Dec. 19 – Brunswick
Jan. 2 – Greensville
Jan. 7 – Surry
Jan. 14 – Franklin
Jan. 16 – Windsor
Jan. 21 – Park View
Jan. 23 – ARGS
Jan. 28 – Sussex
Jan. 30 – Brunswick
Feb. 4 – Greensville
Feb. 6 – Surry