Written by Kinsley Hollowell

Last year the Salem Lady Lions basketball team had a losing record and only won one game. Losing seven seniors the previous season before and losing their head coach Jerry Hickey, the team came into the season knowing it was going to be a difficult year ahead. After Coach Hickey announced he was leaving for Floyd Central the team was in fast search of a new coach to take the position. 

With the team experiencing players transferring to different schools and moving out of state, the team knew their numbers would be low for next season. While everyone was doubting the team Wade Tomlinson stepped up and took the head coach position for the Lady Lions. The numbers were low for the team during the 24-25 season with only allowing the JV squad to play two quarters and most having to also play varsity. They have had a tough season and a losing record but, made the best of it.

Tomlinson was familiar with the team for a couple seasons before, he had helped coach the team when they made their appearance at State. He quit helping coach after his youngest daughter, Macie, graduated. During the 2023-24 season Tomlinson coached the 7th grade Lady Lions team and led them to a 21-2 record. Kristi Noel was also familiar with the Lady Lions team as she was the JV coach for the Lady Lions during the state appearance, but she also quit after her daughter, Natalie Noel,graduated, but now she is coming back to coach the JV for the 2025-26 season. 

Senior Alexis Maudlin feels positive about her senior season. 

”I feel like my role as the only senior on the team means a lot,” she said. “I’m going to have to be a leader for the freshman and the underclassmen because we are a young team. It’s kinda sad that out of six little freshmen there is now only one of us who stuck it out and finished four hard years.”

Maudlin hopes to be a role model on and off the court.

”I can be a leader in many ways, she said. “For example in the locker room we always laugh and have a good time, but once it hits game time we need to lock in and focus on who we are about to compete against, but we can always have fun before the games. On the floor is a good one. Sometimes we get angry at each other, but I can step up and be the example for everyone and say it’s okay to make a little mistake. We just have to come back and do it 10 times better.” 

Maudlin hopes that the team will improve from last year’s record. 

”This year we are gonna be a very competitive and fast team, we have many fast girls who know the game of basketball, ” Maudlin said. “Last year we were still young but some of the girls didn’t love the game. They were just there to be there last year. We all have a love for the game of basketball and we are gonna come out and break some records and have a winning season.” 

Maudlin has a strong love for the game of basketball and is ready for the season to start. 

Junior Payslea Chastian feels that the team will have more players this year to help contribute. 

”I think we will be able to play more as a team a lot better and having more girls will help keep our legs fresh for the game and not allow us to get burnt out and tired more easily,” she said. Chastain feels that her role may be more important this year now that she is an upperclassman she needs to set an example. 

”Being an upperclassman is really fun, being able to form bonds with underclassmen and have them look up to you is really fun,” she said, adding that  she had good memories over the past two years. 

”My favorite memory was our Christmas party at Coach Wade’s house my sophomore year and bonding with the team,” she said. 

Chastain said almost every freshman has an upperclassman they will look up to. “My freshman year I looked up to Ally Clodfelter, I liked the way she played because she was able to drive in and make moves but she was also a good shooter.” 

Sophomore Rachel Little played her freshman year on varsity so she will bring experience to the team despite being so young.

“Last year I looked up to Alexis Maudlin,” said Little. “She was a really good player and she always gave me her best effort and advice. She always helped me and anyone whenever they needed it.” 

Little said she hopes for a better record this season. 

”I think the team should improve a lot from last year’s record,” she said. “This year we have a lot more players than we did last year, and we have a lot more players who can score.” 

The team is excited for the upcoming season and is ready to play. With seven new freshmen coming, working hard toward a winning season is the goal.The Lady Lions will be on the rise. This team is capable of almost anything, the possibilities are endless.