DEMOPOLIS &045; The Lady Hornets of John Essex have been through the fire the last couple of years. They are now ready to produce on the basketball court. The Lady Hornets will return all five starters from last year’s team.

There are no seniors among the returning starters. Coach Shipman starts a junior, a freshman and three eighth graders. They will be the biggest surprise of the season in 1A girl’s basketball. The attitude of wanting to win has been instilled in them and it has been exemplified in how they hustle.

John Essex is excited about going from getting beat up by other teams in past years to returning the favor this year, as well as years to come.

Junior Maria Daniels will set the example of leadership for the young team. She is one of the keys to making the Lady Hornet offense click.

John Essex does not have a lot of height on the team, but they can and will run and rely on their quickness. They move well without the ball and have learned to use their bodies well. The other four starters, Nyeshia Daniels, eighth grade; Dondrea Johnson, eighth grade; Jamie Johnson, freshman; and Keaundra Bennett, eighth grade will contribute heavily to the Lady Hornet offensive and defensive attack this season.