The562’s coverage of Millikan athletics in the 2023-24 school year is sponsored by Curtis Boyer.
Legendary Rams’ head coach Lorene Morgan is back for another year, after accomplishing the impressive feat of 600 wins last season. Despite this achievement, Millikan’s squad placed fifth in Moore League, going 4-8 with an overall record of 9-12. However, Morgan said she is excited for this year’s season.
“The Millikan Girls’ basketball team is better than last season,” Morgan said.
Contributing to this improvement is, most notably, returning post player Emily Piper. The 6’2” senior was the only Ram to gain First-Team Moore League honors.
“She should once again be one of the top rebounders and scorers in the league,” Morgan said. “She has worked hard and has put in the time. She is one of the leaders of the team.”
Piper is taking on a big role as a post player. She said she is ready for the challenge and like Morgan said, she has been putting in the effort to get better and provide for her team.
“Me, personally, I’ve been putting in the work,” Piper said. “I’m a lot stronger down low in the post. That’s been huge for me and my game.”
Joining Piper are fellow seniors Faith Vergara, Jayla Walker and Jasmine Hecht. Morgan said each of these players are helping to improve guard play. Piper shared these sentiments, saying her offense will be crucial for the team’s overall success.
“I think that our offense is definitely what’s gonna win us games,” Piper said. “We can push the ball up the court super quick and just get easy layups.”
These players are taking on a senior leadership role for the Rams this year. Morgan said she has faith that these seniors will be able to step up for Millikan.
“We have a lot of experience with our senior class,” Morgan said. “We played twice the number of games in summer and fall than last year. and feel that we are more prepared and better than last year.”
Junior Ky-LLiyah Clardy is also back for Millikan, after missing part of last season with an injury. All of these players form part of Millikan’s team for the season, and Piper said this group has already been meshing together nicely.
“Our chemistry is so good this year,” Piper said. “As a team, we’re so much stronger.”
The Rams are hoping to combine their chemistry, hard work and off-season games to create success.
“We are hoping to take our work in the off-season, in the weight room and on the track as well as the many Summer and Fall games we played and be a power in the Moore league,” Morgan said. “One of our team goals is to make a deep run in the playoffs.”
Millikan opened their season against the Norwalk Lancers on Monday night. The Rams kicked off their season with a bang, comfortably taking a 65-31 win.
Click here for the FULL 2023-24 Girls’ Basketball season preview.
