Summer work could determine Eaglette starters

Shelbyville coach Lynn Burkey and the Eaglettes just completed their second team camp in the past three weeks. (T-G Photo by Gary Johnson) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

The past three weeks have been very busy for the Shelbyville Golden Eaglettes as they have hosted two team basketball camps with a week of practice in between.

With the departure of three senior starters, coach Lynn Burkey said these camps are very important when it comes to preparing for the upcoming season.

"The work we do this summer is really crucial," Burkey said. "It has been more important for this particular team than any since I've been here with the graduation of three starters. We have a much younger team. It's just amazing how far they have come in the past three weeks. We've still got a long, long way to go but this team has a great work ethic and it's going to be fun to watch this team grow and improve."

Burkey and his staff continue to evaluate players to see what's the best way to put the pieces of the puzzle together.

The Eaglettes went 4-1 in this last camp with their only loss being to Farragut on Wednesday.

"I told the girls at the end of camp that they might be the most improved team that I've ever had since our first camp," Burkey said. "I hope I can say the same once the season starts and as the season progresses. We've challenged them to continue to work the rest of the summer."

Positions are up for grabs so there is a huge reward for those who work hard in the preseason.

"I've told the girls that every position on the floor is possibly up in the air and I hope that produces some healthy competition. This group seems to all get along well and interact well with one another and that's a huge positive."

A two week "dead-period" begins Monday where coaches cannot have any contact as far as practice or instruction and facilities cannot be open for use by the athletes.

"We've got a number of players that will be playing some travel ball over the next month or so and after the dead period we can come back in and lift weights and do some conditioning," Burkey said.