Buford Lady Wolves 2012-2013 Season Summary
Led by perhaps the most seasoned and talented group of Seniors that have ever worn the Green and Gold, the Buford Lady Wolves began the 2012-13 campaign devastated and broken-hearted. Already reeling from the sudden death of fellow classmate and Buford Wolves basketball player Adam Smith, the Lady Wolves basketball family was shaken to its core by another tragedy: Devin Durden, the oldest son of our beloved Head Coach Gene Durden and his wife Cherie and brother to Christian, Coby and Danielle, was involved in a motorcycle accident on September 26, 2012 that would ultimately and tragically claim his young life on October 4, 2012. Devin’s untimely and tragic loss will forever leave a void in the Buford Lady Wolves basketball family. In perhaps its darkest time in history, the Buford basketball family and community proved that it was indeed FAMILY.
With hearts broken yet healing, a disappointing one-point loss to Southwest Atlanta Christian would become an invaluable learning tool for the Lady Wolves. They would use the lessons of that loss to prepare them for a long road to trip to face AAAAAA powerhouse Tift County. The Lady Wolves would prove to be too much for the Blue Devils and secure an impressive 29-point win. The Lady Wolves hoped the Tift County win, coupled with a mid December win against Georgia AAAA four-time defending state champion Columbia, would serve as fuel for the Lady Wolves as they spent the Christmas holidays battling a gauntlet of state and nationally ranked teams. Disappointing losses to Maryland’s Academy of the Holy Cross and cross-town rival Wesleyan would send the Lady Wolves into the heart of their schedule even more determined to become a team to be reckoned with in AAA.
On Saturday, January 5, 2013, the Buford Lady Wolves basketball family would be rocked once again by tragedy and loss. Jeremy Nelson, the 12 year-old brother of Lady Wolves Senior Kristina Nelson and 7th grade Lady Wolves Jessica Nelson, the son of proud parents and Buford super fans Herb and Nan Nelson, tragically passed away while playing in an All Star basketball game. The Lady Wolves basketball family would expend their energy during the days and nights that followed loving on, ministering to, and praying for this dear and precious family to us all.
Mentally and emotionally exhausted, the Lady Wolves would suffer a 4 point loss to rival Wesleyan at home and yet would somehow regroup to run the table, going undefeated in regular season region play, dismantling all region opponents before battling and beating Dawson County to claim the 2012-2013 7AAA Region Championship.
Paced by Senior Maya Dillard, MacKenzie Darrah, and truly courageous and inspiring play from a heart-broken KoKo Nelson, as well as elite performances from emerging Juniors Camille Anderson and Corey Staples, the Region Championship served as a launching point for the Lady Wolves into the State Tournament. Buford posted huge wins against Elbert County and Woodward in the first and second rounds before having to face perennial AAA powerhouse St. Pius and Asia Durr, the #1 ranked player in the class of 2015, in the Elite Eight. For the first time in four years, a trip to the Final Four and State Finals in Macon was simply not to be for the Buford Lady Wolves. With a very loud and engaged standing room-only crowd making the Wolves Den a coveted home court advantage, the Lady Wolves dug themselves an early hole and, despite a furious rally and incredible display of heart, will, and belief in each other in a frenzied environment, were beaten by a talented, well-coached, and eventual Georgia AAA State Champion St. Pius Lady Golden Lions team 56-43.
The Buford Lady Wolves finished the 2012-13 season with a stellar yet disappointing 24-5 record. In their first year moving up to the AAA classification, the Lady Wolves were undefeated in region play, finished as the Region 7AAA Region Champions and made an appearance in the Elite Eight. Seniors Maya Dillard, MacKenzie and Kristina Nelson were named Region 7AAA First Team All Region and GTOC Players of the Month. Maya Dillard earned a Fans Choice Player of the Week by the Gwinnett Daily Post as well All Gwinnett County Team Honorable Mention. MacKenzie Darrah was an Atlanta Tip Off Club All-Metro Honorable Mention and All Gwinnett County Team Honorable Mention as well being named to the GACA North South Senior All Star and Gwinnett County All Star Games. Kristina Nelson was named a McDonalds All American Nominee, Atlanta Tip Off Club All Metro 1st Team member, GTOC 1st Team All Gwinnett County Team member, as well as Girls Athlete of the Week by the Gainesville Times. KoKo was also named to the Gwinnett County All Star Game. Junior post player Bree Horrocks was named to the 7AAA 2nd Team All Region Team and the GACA North South Junior All Star Game, as well as earning the GTOC Academic Award. Sophomore guard Camille Anderson earned a Region 7AAA All Region Honorable Mention.
The 2013 Senior Buford Lady Wolves graduated with a more-than-remarkable four-year record of 107-20, with two State Championships, one State Finalist, and an appearance in the Elite Eight during their four-year career. Continuing in the footsteps of past Buford Lady Wolves greats such as Christie Thomas, Blanche Alverson and Andraya Carter, three 2013 Seniors signed scholarships to play basketball collegiately. Maya Dillard signed with the David Lipscomb University Lady Bison in Nashville, Tennessee, where she will bring her ball handling and solid point guard play to the collegiate ranks. Senior MacKenzie Darrah signed with the Elon University Phoenix where our Baby Giraffe will romp to Elon, North Carolina and build on an incredible four-year career at Buford. Senior Kristina Nelson signed to play basketball for the 2011 and 2012 national finalist and 2013 Final Four Notre Dame Fighting Irish. KoKo will use her size, offensive skill set and rebounding and defense to build upon a storied Fighting Irish women’s basketball tradition.
Withoutany question, the 2012-13 season proved to be the most tragic and difficult in Buford Lady Wolves’ history. The Lady Wolves experienced in one year a lifetime of painful lessons. More than anything, one thing proved true:
BUFORD LADY WOLVES BASKETBALL IS SO MUCH MORE THAN WINS AND LOSSES.
The Buford Lady Wolves basketball family wishes to take this time to remember the lives of three incredible sons, brothers, friends, and Buford family members.
Adam Smith, Devin Durden, Jeremy Nelson
