Lake City girls open 10-8
By Dennis Brunson
hssr.com Associate Editor
Lake City – After a season in which it posted a 17-8 record, won the Region 7-AA title and reached the lower state championship game of the state playoffs, the 2025-26 campaign hasn’t had the same magic for the Lake City High School girls basketball team.
The Panthers opened with a 10-8 overall record and were 3-3 in region play. Second-year head coach Shaquetta Cooper said her team has been plagued by inconsistency.
“There have been times when our team has performed well,” Cooper said. “We’ve faced numerous setbacks. We have to get healthy.”
Leading the way for Lake City is freshman Hannah Riles. She leads the team in scoring with an 11.9 points-per-game average and in assists at 3.1 She is also averaging 2.9 steals and 3.8 rebounds.
Senior Jada Robinson leads the team in rebounding with a 9.1 average and in steals at 3.9. She is averaging 8.3 points. Senior Trayana Burgess is just missing averaging double figures in scoring with a 9.9 average to go with 2.9 steals.
Sophomore Ja’Kyla Boyle is averaging 5.8 rebounds to go with 2.6 points, freshman Shaziyah Epps is averaging 4.8 points, and senior Kailey Graham is averaging 3.3 points and 3.9 rebounds.
Other players who are seeing regular time in the playing rotation are eighth-grader Ke’Osha Smith, senior Kierstyn Hanna and junior Brianna Shaw.
LAKE CITY BOYS OPEN 5-10
The Lake City boys won just five of their first 15 games and opened 1-5 in region play. Panthers head coach Seneca Barron is not surprised with the issues.
“The team is going through a rebuilding phase and is still developing chemistry,” Barron said. “Inconsistency on both ends of the floor has made it difficult to close out games. They’ve shown flashes of potential, but execution has been a challenge.
“Despite the losses, the team continues to compete and gain valuable experience. This season is about growth, learning and laying the foundation for future success. The effort is there; results will follow with time and adjustments.”
Senior Amari Hanna is the team’s leading scorer at 13.7 points. He is also averaging 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.8 steals.
Senior Da’jon McClary leads in rebounds at 6.9 while scoring at a 5.5 clip. Senior Jeffery Burgess is the second leading scorer at 8.8 and is tied with Hanna for the steals lead.
XyKenan Hickson is leading in assists with a 3.6 average while scoring 6.2 points a game. Senior Shayon Shavers is grabbing five boards a game while averaging 2.8 points and senior Ka’jon McClary is averaging 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 2.8 points.
Others who are seeing regular time in the rotation are junior Anthony White, junior Jordan Dobson, freshman Zyrie McFadden, junior Jaylen Tooney, junior Alexander Rendo and junior David Singletary. .
