Buford Lady Wolves 2013-2014 Season Summary
After several years of benefiting from the spoils of a talent and size-filled lineup, the 2013-14 version of the Buford Lady Wolves faced a new challenge: being a recognizable underdog and competing against teams that many times would be more talented and out for revenge. With the leadership of the largest Senior class ever and a group of gifted and gritty underclassmen, there was a strong belief that this team could return to the heart, style and substance of play of Buford Lady Wolves teams past. While hopes were high, the unknown of inexperienced players and a culture in desperate need of repair hung like a storm cloud as the Lady Wolves prepared. An opening game, overtime defeat to AAA foe Morgan County seemed to confirm everyone’s worst fears. While displaying glimmers of hope, the loss exposed gaping holes that would need to be filled for this team to compete at a high level. The Morgan County loss served as a painful starting point for a slow and steady climb of improvement, buy-in, and a gritty, tough pre-region schedule. The Lady Wolves would win a nail-biter at home against Class A state championship finalist Southwest Atlanta Christian, avenging a one-point loss from the year before. They would defeat Class AAAAAA powerhouse Tift County at home and prevail in another close game against four-time defending Class AAAA state champion Columbia. The Lady Wolves took their surprising early-season 6-1 record and, upping the ante once again, competed after Christmas in the Big Red Shootout Holiday Tournament in Gainesville, Georgia. The Big Red Shootout Holiday Tournament schedule would present highly competitive teams that would test the strength of Buford’s storied tradition. Playing three games in three days, the Lady Wolves would handily defeat Franklin County and Central Gwinnett to earn a championship game berth against tournament host and storied rival Gainesville. Playing inspired defense, the Lady Wolves would pull out an ugly-beautiful 33-31 victory to win the Big Red Shootout championship. After winning the Big Red Shootout, the Lady Wolves would venture full-force for the second year into Region 7AAA play, featuring quality opponents and, as experienced last year, hostile road environments. Riding the consistent post and defensive presence of Purdue University commit, 6’5″ post player Bree Horrocks, the toughness and grit of fellow Senior Tara Dambach, the deep-threat scoring and stamina of Junior guard and North Carolina State Wolfpack commit Camille Anderson, and the frenzied defensive pressure of Junior Corey Staples, the Lady Wolves would reel off seven region victories as well as a tough-fought, gutsy win against a very inspired and disciplined Class AAAAA Creekview team.
The Lady Wolves would suffer their second loss of the season, a disappointing showing against rival Wesleyan, before regrouping to run the table, going undefeated in regular season region play and battling and beating West Hall and Dawson County before dismantling East Hall to claim the 2013-2014 7AAA Region Tournament Championship.
Paced by a pressing, fast-paced style of play featuring afore mentioned players, great play from Seniors Taylor Ozment, Caitlyn Dawkins, Ceely Coker, Ashley Kroeger and Kelly Slotin, as well as elite performances from emerging Sophomore Chandler Hall and Freshmen Marissa Bruce and Zikaya Wright, the Lady Wolves would zoom in to the Class AAA State Tournament, hosting and posting a huge first-round win against Ringold, a tough, grinding victory against a talented Decatur team, and another blowout win against Woodward Academy to earn a Final Four berth against formidable Pike County. Playing in front of a packed and loud crowd at Georgia College and State University’s Centennial Arena, the Lady Wolves would control the game from the opening tip and post a convincing 63-46 win to earn a return to the State Championship in Macon and a chance to avenge last year’s quarterfinal loss against defending Class AAA State Champion St. Pius and Asia Durr, the #1 ranked player in the class of 2015.
With a very loud and engaged standing room-only crowd on-hand featuring a huge contingent of Buford faithful dressed in matching WE ARE BUFORD white t-shirts, the Lady Wolves would jump out to a 15-3 lead, shocking the Macon Coliseum crowd and GPB television audience. St. Pius would slowly begin to chip away at the lead and would take a 7-point lead into the fourth and final quarter. A furious rally and incredible display of heart, will, and belief in each other would allow the Lady Wolves to have the ball and a chance to tie or win the game with 7 seconds remaining. The fairy-tale ending to an unexpected, fairy-tale season was not to be. A talented, well-coached St. Pius Lady Golden Lions team would hold on to beat the Lady Wolves 48-45, successfully defending their Georgia AAA State Championship and leaving our Lady Wolves heart-broken.
The Buford Lady Wolves finished the 2013-14 season as Class AAA State Runner Up with an unprecedented, unexpected 30-3 record. In their second year moving up to the AAA classification, and for the second consecutive year, the Lady Wolves were undefeated in region play, finishing as back-to-back 7AAA Region Champions. Posting an unheard-of perfect 19-0 record at home, the Lady Wolves would be Big Red Shootout Tournament Champions and would be named the Gwinnett County Tip Off Club Team of the Year.
Bree Horrocks was named to the 7AAA All Region Team, GTOC 1st Team All Gwinnett County, Atlanta Tip Off Club All-Metro Honorable Mention, GTOC Player of the Month, Big Red Shootout All Tournament Team, GTOC Academic Award recipient, Gwinnett Daily Fans Choice Player of the Week, as well as being named to the GACA North South Senior All Star and Gwinnett County All Star Games. Junior Camille Anderson was named the 7AAA Region Player of the Year, Big Red Shootout Most Valuable Player, Atlanta Tip Off Club All Metro 3rd Team member, GTOC 1st Team All Gwinnett County Team member, GTOC Player of the Month, as well as Girls Player of the Week by the Gainesville Times. Camille was also named to the North / South Georgia Junior All Star Game. Camille has been invited to attend the USA Basketball Women’s U17 World Championship Team Trials in May 2014. Junior Corey Staples was named to the 7AAA All Region Team, the Big Red Shootout All Tournament Team as well as earning a GTOC Player of the Month Award.
The 2014 Senior Buford Lady Wolves graduated with a more-than- remarkable four-year record of 108-19, with one State Championship, two State Finalists, 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, one 2014 Senior signed a scholarship to play basketball collegiately. Bree Horrocks signed with the Purdue University Boilermakers in West Lafayette, Indiana, where she will bring her post presence, soft touch and shot blocking ability to the Big Ten Conference.
While in many ways much different from the uber-talented teams of recent past, the 2013-14 version of the Buford Lady Wolves should be credited with returning the heart, the soul and the passion of Buford Lady Wolves basketball to its rightful place. Our Seniors deserve the highest praise for their unselfish commitment to excellence and their unwavering belief in THE BUFORD WAY. The 2013-14 Buford Lady Wolves have returned our culture to state championship contention. And BUFORD NATION will be forever grateful.
