The Upperman Bees girls basketball team is gearing up for what Head Coach Dana McWilliams hopes will be another run in the state tournament.
Upperman made the state tournament last season for the second time in the last five years. McWilliams said she used the summer for moving ahead, specifically an eight day camp designed to sharpen skills and team chemistry.
“There’s no advantage or disadvantage [to playing two consecutive days of camp,]” McWilliams said. “You get ten days and you have to use them before the dead period, so some people have days left, some people don’t, some people have got places that are closer, this is really close to us so it’s convenient for us and that’s why we come [to Lebanon] two days.”
Spring practices also helped Upperman lay the groundwork for the summer, giving the team a chance to evaluate strengths, identify areas for improvement, and fine tune rotations before the season tips off.
“Camp’s really for us more about, you know, seeing how we fit and maybe what adjustments we can make when the season comes around,” McWilliams said.
McWilliams also is eyeing changes for basketball itself. McWilliams said she supports the tabled shot clock change that could come into effect as early as next season.
“We would love for it to be put in immediately,” McWilliams said. “It’s just a good thing for all of Tennessee that we can do that.”
Upperman hopes to build on their past success and return to the state tournament this season. The Bees seek their first state title since the 2022 season.
