Clover winter sports: Opening of the season

CLOVER, S.C. — As the winter sports season kicks off, Roaring Eagle reporters reached out to coaches for insight into their goals and priorities for the upcoming season. From strengthening team dynamics to refining individual skills, each
coach has a unique focus
as they prepare their teams for success. Here’s what they had to say about their strategies and expectations for the season ahead.
Coach Shakkia Walker’s vision for a successful season
As the basketball season gets underway, Coach Walker is focused on shaping a team that prioritizes both individual skill development and strong collaboration on the court.
“We want the girls to understand the concept of team basketball—passing the ball, working together, and having fun in the process,” said Coach Walker. “Ultimately, it’s about life lessons. Basketball teaches skills that will take them further than the game itself.”
This season’s goal is
not only to grow as a unit but also to make a deeper playoff run. “We’ve been eliminated in the first round before,” the coach added, “so advancing past that is always a priority.”
The core values driving the team’s mindset this year are centered around the African proverb, ‘Ubuntu’ which means
“ I am because we are.” This reflects the coach’s belief in the importance of family and selflessness. The team has adopted the hashtag #SELFLESS, with the acronym standing for
“Sacrifice, Effort, Love, Family, Live, Energy, Strong.” It is a reminder that teamwork and character
are as important as athletic performance.
In practice, the coach balances individual skill- building with teamwork
by dividing players into specialized groups based
on position. This approach helps players learn versatility while still developing the fundamentals of their roles.
Beyond wins and losses, Coach Walker hopes the athletes leave the season with a stronger sense of discipline and accountability.
“Basketball teaches life lessons,”
the coach concluded.
“Off the court,
I want them
to know their voice matters. On the court, I want them to give their all for 32 minutes.”
Coach Jackson focuses on personal growth and teamwork for upcoming sports season
As the new season approaches, Coach Jackson is setting clear expectations for his team, emphasizing both individual growth and a commitment to teamwork. For Jackson, the primary goal is simple: “We want to work hard and be the best version of ourselves,” he said.
In balancing individual development with team success, Jackson believes the two go hand in hand. “As players take responsibility for their improvement,
they inherently contribute to the team’s progress,” he explained. “When
you grow individually,
it fosters a deeper sense of accountability, which naturally leads to stronger team cohesion.”
Jackson also outlined
his vision for success this season, stressing that while winning games is a priority, the true measure of success lies in the team’s evolution. “We’re focused on becoming the best version of ourselves, and yes, winning games and making a deep playoff run
is important, but it’s the
growth and improvement that will define us,” he said.
Beyond the scoreboard, Jackson hopes his athletes take away valuable life lessons from their experience. “The effort
you put in now
pays off later,” he said. “The discipline
and commitment required in sports translate to life, teaching lessons of hard work and perseverance that will carry far beyond the field.”
As the season unfolds, Jackson’s emphasis on both personal and collective progress will be key in shaping his team’s journey toward success.
Coach Fitzgerald focuses on perseverance and Teamwork for upcoming wrestling season
As the wrestling season begins, Coach Fitzgerald has set clear goals for his team, aiming for both individual
improvement and collective success. “Our goal every day is to get better,” Fitzgerald said. “If we improve daily, we’ll be ready when it matters most in January and February.”
While individual achievements are important in wrestling, Fitzgerald emphasizes their integration into the team’s success. “In our sport, individual goals often take a backseat,” he noted. “As long as we’re improving each day, the results will follow, especially when the postseason begins. Our aim is to qualify as many athletes as we can for the state tournament.”
A key principle Fitzgerald is stressing this season is perseverance. “Wrestling teaches you how to handle ups and downs, both on
the mat and in life,” he
said. “How we respond to challenges determines how much we grow.” Alongside perseverance, faith in each other plays a crucial role
in the team’s mindset. “We have a strong belief in each other—trusting the coaches, trusting the process, and trusting that we’re improving together,” Fitzgerald added.
As for success, Fitzgerald’s focus is on team growth. “Success for us is about being one of the top two teams in our region,” he
said. “If we do that, we’ll put ourselves in a good position for the postseason.” Beyond victories, Fitzgerald hopes his athletes will leave the season stronger both on and off the mat, carrying the lessons learned into their futures. “I want them to be better wrestlers and better people when the season ends,” he said.