Under head coach Jim Justice, the Greenbrier East Lady Spartans have ruled the roost in Southeastern West Virginia basketball for several years now. As a team that hasn’t lost more than 5 games in a year since the 2009-10 season, the Lady Spartans have developed one of the most consistent juggernauts in the state. The climax of Greenbrier East’s rise occurred in 2012 when the Lady Spartans hoisted the Triple A state championship trophy.

However, the team has not reached the top of the mountain in the past 3 seasons. East has suffered heartbreaking season-ending losses to Capital, Morgantown, and Bridgeport during this span.

But this year feels special. With a senior-laden squad full of grit and determination, the Lady Spartans look like they’re ready to get back to glory.

Taylor Hill, a veteran force for the team this season, continually improves her abilities on both ends of the court. Along with leaping for rebounds and scoring in the paint, the senior leads with her positivity and energy for Greenbrier East. She talked with me about the growth of the Lady Spartans, head coach Jim Justice’s impact, and more.
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Question: So far this season, who would you say on the team is the MVP for the Lady Spartans?
Hill: Lexi Tincher. She always knows how to change the game in a tight situation and can be counted on to make a great play.
Question: What would you say is the team’s best attribute so far this year?
Hill: As a team, we are very well conditioned.
Question: What has Coach Justice meant to you as a player at Greenbrier East?
Hill: Coach Justice has been an excellent teacher. He has taught me so many things that will help me throughout life and I am very thankful for that.

Question: In what part of the game do you feel that the team could use the most work right now?
Hill: I feel that we could work more on our offense. Sometimes we rush and make silly turnovers that could be avoided.

Question: What has been your favorite moment as a Lady Spartan in the past few years on the team?
Hill: My favorite moment as a Spartan has to be when we are getting ready to run out of the tunnel and we all yell the famous quote from the movie 300. “Spartans, prepare for glory!”

Question: Any types of pregame rituals or behind-the-scenes antics with your teammates that you’d like to share?
Hill: We always pray before the game with Coach Justice, and sometimes we will have a big dance party in the locker room and just go crazy to get hyped for the game.
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The Lady Spartans, undefeated as of Jan. 25th, have a tough schedule in February with matchups against James Monroe, Shady Spring, and Hurricane. Make sure that you head out to Greenbrier East High School to support the Lady Spartans in this key stretch of their season! | Featured photo by Kacey Patterson.

– Ben Anderson, LBSPY #74. February, 2016