Each year, Van Buren Eagles Girls Basketball Head Coach Tyler Sapp said he sets the same target: To host a sub-state game in Spencer. This season, Sapp said he believes he has the chemistry and maturity to make it a reality.
“It’s probably one of the most cohesive units I’ve ever had,” Sapp said. “And they’re super fun to be around, so that always makes it a good time.”
The Eagles may not have earned home court advantage in last season’s sub-state game, but Van Buren still charged all the way to the Class 1A state tournament, ultimately falling to Greenfield in the championship by three points.
This season, Van Buren returns the bulk of that tournament roster. Sapp said he has seen improvement from everyone in the post game. Senior standout Cara Mills returns after earning first team all-state honors in the tournament. The Eagles added depth at center this season, with Alyssa Parsley transferring from Warren County.
Guard Abigail Netherton also returns after her jump shot as time expired against Coalfield sent the Eagles to the championship. Junior Addison Emory also returns after a torn ACL around Christmas cost her most of last season. Sapp said he expects other younger players to contribute and get early-season minutes. Sapp said his message throughout the season remains simple.
“I just want us to play hard,” Sapp said. “Everything else can come along the way but that’s the one thing that travels is your energy and your effort. So if you can play with that every night, you got a good chance to be in the mix.”
Van Buren County established itself as a contender in Tennessee, winning its district multiple times in recent seasons and making deep region runs throughout Sapp’s tenure. Sapp said with that cohesive group, he wants to see them sharpen up their play early.
“We’re just hoping that playing against better competition helps us out in the long run,” Sapp said. “We;ve got a pretty stacked schedule for sure.”
That journey begins with a statement opener against the Upperman Bees November 18, whose boys team won the state championship last season.
