The Hinesville Hawks girls’ basketball team was reorganized and renamed as the Lady Hawks this year to better represent the various communities the girls come from.
The Lady Hawks, an Amateur Athletic Union/ Youth Basketball of America team founded three years ago on Christian principles, are off to a good start, going 1-2 and 3-1 in their first two tournaments.
The team decided to change its name to better represent the players that reside and attend the Liberty County, Chatham County, Statesboro and Wayne County middle-school systems.
Last year’s Lady Hawks competed in more than 10 tournaments in Florida, Valdosta and North Carolina, earning a season record of 27-5.
According to coaches Harvey Harris and Terry Telfaire, the addition of Gail Stirrups to the coaching staff has brought in a wealth of new information and experience to the organization. Stirrups was an All-Army standout who also played in the Olympic trials and has several years of AAU experience. This year’s Lady Hawks squad is fairly young, with the players ranging from 12 to 14 years old.
“A strong nucleus of players returned from last season,” Harris said. “Eighth-graders Ashanti Harris of Midway Middle School, Grace Draughan of George Washington and Navia Telfaire of Lewis Frasier Middle School are the core of the Hawks’ attack.”
Harris said the AAU team got off to a sluggish start at the Youth Basketball of America Super Regionals in March.
“The girls lost both qualifying games in their first venture,” Harris said. “But after a few additional weeks of practice, they were able to go back into the Dawson Smith Jamboree in Atlanta, which boasted over 154 teams, and made it into the playoffs. They lost to the Atlanta Cagers, who went on to win the tournament.”
The season will run through the summer. This weekend, the Lady Hawks are participating in the state tournament in Atlanta.
 “We would like to thank the Midway Middle School, Board of Education of Liberty County and the Liberty County YMCA for all of their support,” Harris said.
Girls between the ages of 12-14 interested in learning and playing basketball can call 912-980-1971 or email harveyharris96@gmail.com.