At the top of the arc, Jefferson’s Abrianna Lawrence looked out over the field during Tuesday night’s game at Franklin High School. Chauncey Anderson ended with a layup after she sent a dart pass with her right arm.
It appeared to be the type of drama that Lawrence and Andersen had performed a thousand times before.
And they have, which is why.
Both Andersen and Lawrence are seniors. They are among five Jefferson players who have contributed to the varsity squad for the past four years. Charisma Johnson and twin forwards Leila and Carmela Nunez are on the team.
The Democrats are aiming for a deep run because of that experience.
Jefferson coach Andre Lawrence remarked, “I think they’re a band of sisters that now trust each other.” They will make the additional pass because they trust each other to pass the ball to them. All we’re doing is helping them develop trust so they can trust each other in these activities and realize that working together is how they’ll get better.
The secret to Jefferson’s success over the last two years, according to UC Santa Barbara pledge Chauncey Andersen, who has been one of the Democrats’ main scorers for the previous three years, has been the experience the team has garnered after starting so young.
We entered as freshmen, and the majority of freshmen progress from junior varsity to varsity before hitting the bench. However, as freshmen, we were brought in and required to play, start, and produce something. We were carrying a grudge.
Andersen went on to say that the Democrats are benefiting from the experience that his time on the court has given them.
Our greatest issue, in my opinion, has simply been maturity. Including me, we were very immature little girls who enjoyed playing basketball and running around, but I believe that we have all been improving our skills and have grown up a lot since then.
Andersen claimed that years of arguing with Benson during Portland Interscholastic League games contributed much to that maturity. The Democrats have had to contend with Benson celebrities like as Mauriana Hashemian-Orr, Mahogany Chandler-Roberts, Onna Brown, and Malaya LeSueur.
It is usually quite emotional for both sides to play against such great talent and have that game. Because we were so emotional our freshman year, we were able to work through that throughout the years. technical issues and simply poor, unimpressive basketball. However, we have been able to relax throughout the years and simply develop and evolve. against them. It has truly been a boon to us. They’re just really talented gals.
Over the years, the Democrats’ main one-two punch has been Andersen and point guard Abrianna Lawrence. For the last three years, the two have scored the most points in Jefferson’s games.
Lawrence praised his top guards for their selflessness and genuine concern for one another. It’s like, “Oh man,” when you have two girls like that to follow, and everyone else just follows suit, pushing themselves to find their positions and other things. With simply our leadership, the two of them seem willing to put anyone on their back and persevere when it’s their turn.
Speaking glowingly about Abrianna Lawrence, Andersen added that she sets an example for the squad.
According to Andersen, Abri is the team’s glue. Our point guard is her. She assists about ten times a night on average. Without her, we couldn’t have succeeded. I mean, I couldn’t score the ball every night without her because she gets me my buckets.
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Additionally, the Democrats have a hidden weapon coming off the bench this year, even though all eyes are on the Jefferson senior class.
Mackenzee Lawrence, a freshman who was able to play a lot of minutes the previous season, has emerged as a formidable force for the Democrats this winter.
All she wants is it. Andre Lawrence remarked, “And she’s so selfless.” When it comes down to it, her IQ is incredible. Having her on the court at the moment is similar to having another point guard. She has given us a boost right away.
Basketball runs in the family, according to Andersen, and Lawrence is much like her sister.
The Lawrence family, Andersen remarked, laughing. Each of them has handles, eyes to pass, and eyes to score. All of them have a lot of potential, but Mackenzee is particularly gifted.
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–Nik Streng investigates Oregon high school athletics. You may contact him at @NikStreng or [email protected].
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