As the Lakewood Leopards move deeper into the basketball season and enter conference play, both the girls’ and boys’ programs find themselves navigating periods of transition while leaning heavily on effort, leadership, and chemistry. With key departures from last season and a schedule that has tested them early, Lakewood’s approach on both sides centers on steady development and taking the season one game at a time.
Girls varsity head coach Lofton Kerr and boys varsity head coach Brandon Powell both emphasized consistency and growth as central themes for their teams, while senior leaders Dashaun Carr and Juan Parker Jr. pointed to energy, trust, and accountability as the foundation for the season ahead.
Girls varsity
Approaching the heart of conference play, Kerr says the focus remains on steady improvement and learning to play complete games.
“I feel good sometimes,” Kerr said. “It’s just like a coach, you’re never satisfied, because I think we could be doing better.”
With several key contributors lost from recent seasons, the Lakewood coach said this year’s group is still working through growing pains as younger players adjust to expanded roles.
“We’re still coming off losing four seniors that were a big part of our team,” Kerr pointed out. “The younger girls have to step up. A lot of them haven’t played much or haven’t played at all, so we’re teaching while we’re playing.”
Depth remains a defining factor in how far the Leopards can go.
“We’re only going to go as far as what I can get off the bench,” Kerr said. “I’ve got four girls that I think ,when they play, we’ll be all right. Other than that, right now it’s just trusting the process and not rushing it.”
Kerr believes effort can help close gaps when execution or experience varies night to night.
“A lot of coaches always say energy can outperform talent,” he said. “We’ve got it, but it comes in spurts. We’ve got to be more consistent with it.”
Handling defensive pressure has also been a point of emphasis.
“Sometimes we get a little frazzled, especially against pressure,” Kerr said. “We’ve got to get tougher. I’m trying to get them tougher, but I’m from a different generation. I’ve always been a tough coach, and I know we have to adapt, but slowly but surely, we’re getting there.”
As Lakewood prepares for conference play and new opponents following realignment, Kerr said preparation and adaptability will be key.
“My goal is to win this conference,” he stressed. “But it’s all going to depend on how we play and whether we can get help from the bench along with the starters.”
Within that team framework, Kerr acknowledged the impact of sophomore standout Areona McKoy, while keeping the emphasis on collective play.
“She can score you 20-plus on any given night,” he said. “But it’s about everybody blending together and playing with her.”
Kerr said McKoy’s development goes beyond scoring.
“She works,” he attested. “She trains outside, and she’s got the potential. Right now, we’re trying to get her to be more of a leader. When your best player leads, everybody follows.”
Despite the challenges of youth and inexperience, Kerr remains encouraged by his group.
“I enjoy coaching them,” he said. “It’s not always easy, but they’re good kids. If they keep working and playing the right way, we’ll see how far it can take us.”
Boys varsity
On the boys’ side, Lakewood enters conference play after graduating seven seniors from last season’s roster, prompting an increased focus on chemistry and shared responsibility.
“We graduated seven seniors out of the 11 that were on the team,” Powell said. “But Deshaun Carr returned as an aggressive scorer. Juan Parker and DJ [Devin Jones] have always been consistent, especially defensively and rebounding.”
Powell credited Lakewood’s challenging nonconference schedule with accelerating the team’s growth.
“Iron sharpens iron,” he said. “We played some 4A teams and some 5A teams. That gives guys a good opportunity to see what other levels bring.”
A recent non-conference county matchup against Clinton provided an early measuring stick.
“We were down maybe 20 points at one point,” Powell said. “I was extremely proud of how they fought themselves back into the game, even to take the lead a couple of times.”
The experience reinforced the importance of fundamentals.
“In those situations, free throw shooting, boxing out, and the little things really come into play,” Powell said.
This season’s theme reflects the program’s collective mindset.
“We’re going with ‘We is greater than me,’” Powell stressed. “It takes five people on the court offensively and defensively to win. You don’t have to do it all yourself. Share the ball, and yours will come.”
As conference play begins, Powell expects competitive matchups across the board.
“I think any team in this conference can be competitive,” he said. “A lot of these games are going to be close, and that competition can help prepare us beyond the conference tournament and into the playoffs.”
Carr and Parker embrace expanded roles
A senior guard, Carr said energy and execution will define Lakewood’s identity this season.
“Execute and effort, really,” Carr said. “We’re smaller this year, but I don’t think anyone can outrun us. It’s really about energy.”
Carr said his leadership role now extends beyond scoring.
“Not just a scorer, but a passer and somebody you can talk to,” he said. “I want to leave something so the program can be great after I leave.”
Fellow senior Parker echoed that sentiment, emphasizing composure and trust.
“No matter what you’re going through during the season, just keep going,” Parker said. “Don’t get in your head. Just play free and trust the team.”
Parker said his focus this year has been on guiding younger teammates.
“I don’t want them to make the mistakes I made,” he said. “I just want to see my brothers win, on the court and in the classroom.”
While Lakewood’s girls and boys programs face different challenges on the floor, the message from both benches and the locker room remains consistent: effort, trust, and growth will determine how far the Leopards go.
“I just want them to work hard and achieve what they want to achieve,” Kerr said. “We’re going to take it game by game and see what happens.”
Powell echoed that same approach on the boys’ side.
“These boys have what it takes. Even with the young guys, everyone’s bought in, and if they keep working the way they are, they’ll see the results.”
For Carr, the standard is simple.
“It’s really just about effort,” he said. “If we bring that every night, we’ll be all right.”
Parker sees that mindset as something that extends beyond wins and losses.
“Just keep going, no matter what,” Parker said. “Trust your teammates and play free.”
Across both programs, Lakewood is leaning on shared responsibility, steady leadership, and consistent effort as it enters the heart of conference play — believing that growth, not shortcuts, will define the season.