Hendersonville coach Amy Wilhite called the 2012 summer for her Lady Commandos a successful one but one that also leaves the team wanting more.

The Lady Commandos attended four camps this summer. They started at FCA camp in Chattanooga, followed by trips to Shelbyville, Volunteer State and MTSU.

All told, Hendersonville posted a 12-9 record over the four camps.

“I definitely think we got a lot accomplished this summer but I don’t think we feel like we’re not there yet,” Wilhite said. “I know I don’t feel like that and I know the girls didn’t feel like where we need to be. We both know we have a lot to work on still. I think they’re hungry for that.”

And the Lady Commandos got plenty of work with different lineups, different offensive and defensive sets.

Senior point guard Taylor Wright was injured much of the summer camp season with a sprained ankle. But it gave freshmen like Carleigh Short a chance to run the multiple offensive looks Wilhite implemented.

“We have quite a few freshmen,” said Wilhite, in her second year at the helm of the HHS program after having guided the Ellis Middle program. “We wanted to see how we would incorporate them into our team and see how they would come in and work with us. We also have some seniors with some experience. We were trying to get them to be more confident with driving the basket, having inside and outside games.”

Short got to run the point. Post Rae Rae Lloyd got to see time inside and will be a nice complement to senior center Emily Hatfield. Senior Courtney Glover had success with the 3-ball as well as driving to the basket.

The camps also served as a bonding experience for the team.

“I love going to summer camp,” said Wilhite, whose team stayed overnight for two of the four camps. “I love taking the girls. It’s more than just playing games. They become closer, and building team camaraderie, I just think that’s important.”

As it is Wilhite’s second year with the Lady Commandos a sense of familiarity certainly helped the summer along.

“I definitely think the girls know me better and what I expect from them,” she said. “At the same time, I know their strengths and weakness, what works well for our team and what doesn’t. A year under my belt definitely helped out on both ends. I know the competition and the girls we’re playing against. It’s a major difference and I’m sure every year that goes by will help us even more. I definitely think having a year under my belt will help us a lot.”

— Corby A. Yarbrough, Sports Editor
@Corby_Yarbrough on Twitter
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Photo by Corby A. Yarbrough l THE STANDARD
Hendersonville's Courtney Glover shoots a 3-pointer agains Knoxville Catholic during their summer camp game at the Shelbyville team camp earlier this month.