As the Clarkrange Lady Buffaloes turn the page to district competition, senior shooting guard Katelyn Cottle finds herself embracing both a familiar role and a new challenge.
Cottle is one of three seniors on the Clarkrange roster, giving her a steady presence on a team adjusting to a new district and new opponents this season. After three years in the program, Cottle said the foundation built through chemistry and togetherness has been key to Clarkrange’s growth.
“Playing at Clarkrange for the last three years that I have has been really good,” Cottle said. “I love all our team chemistry and the team bonding moments that we have.”
Cottle said that chemistry will be tested as the Lady Buffaloes navigate District 7 for the first time, but she views the transition as an opportunity rather than an obstacle.
“I feel like it’s a good advantage,” Cottle said. “But I think us being in a new district is going to be good for us all together as a team.”
Cottle said facing tougher matchups early in the season has helped sharpen both Cottle’s individual game and the team’s collective approach. Cottle said she credits those experiences with accelerating Clarkrange’s development on the floor.
“We’ve just like played a lot better as a team and know more things than whenever we first started doing it,” Cottle said. “I feel I’ve improved mentally a lot [especially] because it’s a really mental game.”
Cottle said that mental growth has not happened alone. Support from the coaching staff and encouragement from teammates have helped her stay composed, while a strong home crowd has provided added confidence as district play approaches.
Cottle said the fans’ energy has helped ease nerves and create momentum heading into the most important stretch of the season.
Clarkrange officially opened District 7 play Tuesday against Jackson County, with Cottle and the Lady Buffaloes aiming to carry their chemistry, experience and mental toughness into the heart of the schedule.
