After two thoroughly dominating wins, the Buford Lady Wolves once again have their sights set on national supremacy. The Nike Tournament of Champions in Phoenix, AZ will put the Wolves against some of the top competition in the country, including second-ranked St. Mary’s and third-ranked Riverdale Baptist. Buford, the number 12 team in the country, according to ESPN’s Fab 50 Girls Rankings, will indeed have its work cut out for the them if the Lady Wolves want to continue climbing the ranks of the nation’s best. The team will open the tournament with a tough test against tenth-ranked Mater Dei of Santa Ana, CA.
In spite of losing their star point guard, Andraya Carter, for the foreseeable future, the Lady Wolves have ridden the play of junior combo-guard Kaela Davis. During Buford’s first two games against Milton and South Atlanta, Davis scored 27 and 26 points, respectively. “Kaela has matured so much this season,” Coach Gene Durden said.“She’s done a tremendous job leading the team in Andraya’s absence.”
Carter tore her ACL back in May, but hopes to be back at some point this season before the team’s postseason run. She will not however rush back according to Coach Durden. “It’s going to be a doctor’s and a family decision before she’s able to make it back,” Coach Durden said. She has committed to the Tennessee Lady Vols to play for legendary coach Pat Summitt.
On the heels of the Tournament of Champions is the local Jump Off Plus Holiday Invitational featuring the top teams from the state of Georgia. The Lady Wolves will be tested by the likes of the nation’s ninth-ranked team, McEachern and other state powerhouses such as Greater Atlanta Christian, Fayette County, and Forest Park. Coach Durden feels that this will be a true benchmark of his team’s ability to achieve the same amount of success that has led his Lady Wolves to three straight Class AA championships. The Jump Off Plus will be a culmination of seven games played in a two-week period for Buford.
With the holiday tournaments looming and his star player out, Coach Durden is keeping his team sharp with tough practices. “We don’t handle the national scene any differently,” said Coach Durden. “The only difference is the adjustment of playing away from home.” Regardless of the national and in-state competition, the team looks at the tough early season matchups as the key preparation needed for the state tournament and a run at another Class AA championship.
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