Buford Lady Wolves 2011-2012 Season Summary
Led by a season and talented group of seniors comprised of University of Alabama softball signee Kallie Case and Wagner University signee Emily Adams, along with reserve Jaquania Brown, the 2011-2012 Buford Lady Wolves began the season without senior standout and University of Tennessee signee Andraya Carter, still rehabbing an off season ACL knee surgery and unsure if she would play this season at all. The Lady Wolves hoped an exciting win against AAA defending state champion Columbia at Columbia would serve as a catalyst as they traveled to play in the Nike Tournament of Champions in Phoenix, Arizona. Beating national ranked St. Johns College could not sooth stinging loses to the likes of national ranked Mater Dei and St.Marys. The Lady Wolves returned home to another gauntlet of nationally ranked teams. Falling to the likes of national ranked Tennessee powerhouse Riverdale, Alabama power Hoover and cross town rival Wesleyan proved to be bitter, humbling medicine to the Lady Wolves.
Physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted, The Lady Wolves regrouped and ran the table in region play, going undefeated in the regular season and dismantling region foes Westminster and GAC before beating Lovett to claim the 2011-2012 6AA region championship. Paced by the return of Andraya Carter and the elite performances of juniors Kaela Davis, Mackenzie Darrah (who suffered a grotesque dislocated hip against Decatur but returned several weeks later), Kristina Nelson and Maya Dillard, the Region Championship served as a launching pad for the Lady Wolves into the State Tournament. Buford posted a blowout win against Kendrick before having to rally in furious fashion against a determined North Oconee team in the quarterfinal matchup, a game that saw Andraya Carter separate her shoulder yet somehow return to play with basically one arm and make several huge plays that helped seal the win. The Lady Wolves dismantled Heard County in the Elite Eight and Brooks County in the Final Four to earn the right to capture a coveted fourth consecutive State Championships again region rival Lovett. For the first time in four years, championship Saturday was not the Buford Lady Wolves basketball team day. The Lady Wolves dug themselves an early hole, were sent reeling by a third quarter surge, and despite one last furious rally, were dethroned by a very determined Lovett Lady Lions 52-42.
The 2011-12 Buford Lady Wolves finished with a 25-8 record, respectable by some accounts but disappointed by Buford Lady Wolves standards. As well as finishing the Region 6AA Region Champions and GHSA 2A state runner up, Andraya Carter, Kaela Davis, and Kristina Nelson were named to the Gwinnett County Super Six. Kaela Davis was named to the GACA All State 1st Team. Andraya Carter was named GACA All State Honorable Mention. Andraya Carter, Kristina Nelson and Kaela Davis were named to the Gwinnett County All County First Team. Mackenzie Darrah and Maya Dillard Gwinnett Tipoff Club All County Team Honorable Mention.
Kaela Davis was named to the Atlanta Tipoff Club First Team All Metro Team, Andraya Carter was named the Atlanta Tipoff Club Second Team All Metro Team, and Kristina Nelson was named Atlanta Tipoff Club Metro Team Honorable Mention. Mackenzie Darrah, Kristina Nelson and Kaela Davis were named Gwinnett Tip-Off Club Player of the Month. Andraya Carter, Kristina Nelson and Kaela Davis were named to the 6AA All Region Team. Andraya Carter and Kaela Davis were named to the Gainesville Times Starting Five, and Kristina Nelson was named to the Gainesville Times Starting Five Honorable Mention. Andraya Carter received the Gwinnett Tip-Off Club Scholar Athlete Award. Kaela Davis and Kristina Nelson were named to the GACA North All Star Junior Team.
Continuing in the footsteps of the past Buford Lady Wolves greats such as Christie Thomas and Blanche Alverson, to name a few, 2012 seniors signed scholarships to play basketball collegiately. Andraya Carter signed with the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers, where she will bring freakishly athletic and physically defensive style and offensive skill to the collegiate ranks. Emily Adams signed with the Wagner College Seahawks, where Big Country will meet the Big City as Em invades Staten Island, New York and builds on an incredible senior campaign where she continued to refine her physically post play and define herself as a dominate rebound and defensive force. Senior Kallie Case signed a softball scholarship with the 2012 National Champion University of Alabama. Kallie will use her speed, skill and unmatched leadership ability to lead upon a storied Crimson Tide softball tradition.
With undoubtedly the most difficult schedule in Buford Lady Wolves history, a preseason nationally ranking, a devastating off season injury to a key player, multiple injuries to key player and the pressure of defending three consecutive state championships, the 2011- 2012 season for the Buford Lady Wolves basketball epitomized the pressure and strain of a burdensome journey that tested the mettle and heart of each team and coaching staff member and eventually proved too difficult to bear, Despite the difficulty of the journey, countless hours, blood, sweat and tears exhausted by this special group of young ladies culminated in a goal still almost reached. Their ability to endure countless obstacles and injuries and still within reach the ultimate goal will serve as yet one more foundational bedrock within the growing tradition that is Buford Lady Wolves basketball.
