WEST POINT, Ala. – The Lady Warriors had another pretty successful basketball season last year as they ended up taking home the area championship and made yet another trip to Sub-Regionals. Jaelyn Faulkner will be a sophomore this upcoming season and learned a lot in her first year on varsity.
“I felt like it went pretty well. Despite having some bad losses during the season, I think, overall, it was a pretty good season. I learned a good bit of things, like how to really bring the team together, so we can bring out the best in one another. That’s a really important thing that leads to winning games and getting better as a team,” Faulkner said. “Being on varsity has really taught me how to take charge and be a leader on and off the court. When I say being a leader, I mean making sure we’re all doing our jobs on the floor, making the plays, and cheering on my teammates. A lot of people don’t realize how having people cheering you on really helps your game. It’s something I’ve recently started doing more often and it really does boost the team morale on the court and on the bench. That also plays an important part in how well we play overall and as a team.”
Jaelyn talked about what it was like playing under head coach John Welborn and what she has improved on the most during her time on varsity so far.
“He definitely took some getting used to. He’s tough, but in a good way. He’s helped me adjust to constant change on the floor and most importantly, his coaching style has made me better able to deal with constructive criticism in how I perform on the floor, which I personally feel has matured me, as well as my game,” she said. “I’ve definitely improved a lot on finishing layups under the basket and letting the game come to me, instead of trying to force it.”
Jaelyn will continue to put in the work in the offseason as she gets ready for next season. She has some goals set for herself and for the team this upcoming season.
“I will continue to work on finishing under the basket and being a point guard that Coach Welborn knows he can trust, no matter how the game is going, but most importantly, free throws, because they can be game-winning or game-losing shots,” she said. “Individually, I want to better focus only on things I can control in the game, and embrace pressure, so that I can continue my basketball career on the D1 level. My team goals are better team cohesion, and improving on our weak spots throughout the season, so that we can embrace the pressure we’ll face in order to advance beyond our area win from our previous season.”
Jaelyn thinks the Lady Warriors will have a very special season this upcoming year and she talked about her role models that she had growing up, and the best advice that someone ever gave her.
“What will make this team special to watch is how much we’ve improved from last season to this season. Our offensive game will be more dynamic this year,” she said. “Coach Daniel Hudson and Michael Jordan, who I believe, was one of the greatest team players and all-around basketball player. My mom gives me some of the best advice. One of the best things she’s told me is, ‘Don’t ever let people get in your head’. It sticks with me and it always will. It reminds me that at the end of the day, it all comes down to me and the decisions I make. I’m so grateful for my mom and everything she does for me and the rest of my family for always supporting me in my basketball journey. Coach Hudson would always tell me, ‘You’re as good as you want to be’, which also sticks with me and helps me keep striving to be the best player and person that I can be.”
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