The Pope John Paul II High girls basketball team enters the upcoming season under new leadership.
Angi Puckett is now at the helm of the Lady Knight program, succeeding Karen Serra (who compiled a 56-61 record in four seasons at the helm).
Angi Puckett
Before arriving at PJP II, Puckett coached at Spanish Fort (Ala.) High School, serving as the varsity head coach for four years and for two years as the junior-varsity head coach. She led the program to a 22-12 record and the Area 2 championship last season, being named the Area 2 Coach of the Year.
With her debut season for the Lady Knights approaching, Puckett says she is continuing to familiarize herself with her players.
“Right now, it’s just going to be an adjustment period of me getting to know the players better and what they’re capable of and them getting to know my style and expectations of them,” Puckett said.
PJP II lost six seniors to graduation – including Sumner County Co-Player of the Year Lauren Ransom, Lillian Baker, Rachel Richardson, Ellen Gerstner, Nicole Kirby and Annabel Yates.
The Lady Knights have two starters returning from last season in forward Windee Johnson and guard Sophie Kolbe. Competition remains for the other three starting spots.
Pope John Paul II High senior forward Windee Johnson is the team’s top returning scorer.
“At this point, it’s really too early to name a starting five,” Puckett said. “I’m still trying to make that call, but definitely my senior players are all going to be very instrumental players for me.
“Wendy Johnson will definitely be a player that I rely on heavily. She averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds a game last year, and she just verbally committed to Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala.”
Several players that are expected to receive significant playing time are Mercedes Smith, Emily Galluzzi and Miranda Smith. Puckett also indicated that there are others who have made strides this fall.
“Callie Ryan is a great on-the-ball defender,” Puckett said. “She’s been working really hard, and she’s definitely stepped up. Lindsey Semrow, a sophomore, has put in a lot of work over the summer, and her shot is starting to look really good.”
Puckett points to a lack of overall size as a potential concern for her team this year.
“As a team, we’re small, so we’re going to have to apply a lot of pressure defensively,” Puckett said. “We’ll need to really press and get after them.
“Offensively, we need to continue to attack to get to the basket.”
Senior guard Sophie Kolbe is one of two returning starters for the Pope John Paul II High girls basketball team.
Puckett believes that Brentwood Academy and Ensworth will be the favorites in the East/Middle Reegion of Division II-Class AA.
The Lady Knights will have a blue-gold intra-squad scrimmage on Thursday, followed by a Tennessee Secondary Schools Hall of Champions game at Portland on Tuesday, Nov. 17. PJP II will also host Hall of Champions games on Saturday, Nov. 21, facing Middle Tennessee Christian and Oakland.
The Lady Knights open the regular season with a contest at Christ Presbyterian Academy on Nov. 24, and PJP II begins region play by hosting rival Father Ryan on Jan. 8.