By Thomas Sellers Jr.
CORDOVA — The Munford Lady Cougars are at that point of the season where the players are taking to Head Coach Steve Poindexter’s methods offensively and on the defensive end.
Now going through the district slate, the Lady Cougars have to also start thinking about seeding and trying to make a push for a top position for the postseason.
Then after the Munford players exited the Cordova Gymnasium locker room with a 65-30 win over the Lady Wolves, Poindexter added another challenge for his roster.
“We’re much better than we were a month ago,” Poindexter said. “It’s getting better. I think about what it’s about right now, and I talked to the team about this. What are you willing to do individually in the next month to grow?
“Because we’re not handling some situations well,” he continued. “Whether it be not finishing well, handing the trap well, or whatever it is. I tell them, the end result and what’s displayed looks like a lack of toughness, you’re soft. The root of all that is fundamental skills.”
The Lady Cougars used fundamental defense to surge out 21-3 over Cordova Friday night. The hot shooting of junior guard Addie Turner gave Munford an offensive spark.
The Lady Cougars led 38-12 at the break after Turner drained back-to-back triples. Saniyah Jones gave Munford a boost, hitting a three-pointer.
Other Jones to help the Lady Cougars lead 50-20 after three quarters were Jayla Jones, Alyissia Jones and Kayla Jones. Alongside Nakirah Miller and Chelby Jackson, the Joneses controlled the boards against Cordova.
The Lady Cougars also transformed turnovers into breakaway baskets for the 35-point win and improved the league record to 3-2.
Munford’s two district losses came courtesy of Bartlett and Collierville. Poindexter said in order for his group to close those gaps, they have to put in extra work.
“As a group, we can only do so many fundamental drills a day,” he noted. “It’s all about what you do. Are you coming in there early? Are you staying a few minutes late? Are you willing to spend that extra five or 10 minutes everyday to improve yourself individually and then bring that to the group.”
The veteran, championship Coach said the 2025-26 Lady Cougars have to answer this challenge in order to keep progressing toward something historic.
“Where are they going to take themselves individually from here now that play better together than we did early,” he concluded. “The chemistry level is getting there, but what is each individual going to bring to the table? Are you going to sharpen up fundamentally as we progress? Don’t be satisfied where you are.”
