It could be a very interesting year for Mineola Yellowjacket basketball. The team will be anchored by three seniors: guard Ainsley Steward, post Zane Strange and wing Chance Williams. The three have significant varsity experience from the 2024-25 campaign. 

Rounding out the team are five sophomores: Carson Threlkeld, Cason Peebles, Beckham Bowker, Steven Reyes and Kolton Garrigus. As evidenced in the Jackets home-opening 87-35 win over the Big Sandy Wildcats, the squad possesses great team quickness.

Basketball is a unique game, in that it is not speed that dominates, but quickness; it is not strength that dominates, but leverage. Furthermore, quickness enters into many aspects of the game: quickness of the hands, quickness of the feet, quickness of shot release, quickness to exploit a passing lane and quickness to reach a specific spot on the floor.

If the Jackets are to have success this year it will likely be to that singular skill of quickness. This was demonstrated as they put up 30 points in the opening quarter, 23 in the second, 18 in the third and 13 in the final period against a clearly overmatched Big Sandy Wildcat team, last Tuesday.

It was the opening few minutes, though, that demonstrated so clearly the Jackets team quickness. Mineola beat the Wildcats to the ball and to each spot on the floor at every turn. That ability comes as a result of anticipation, understanding of the game and physical conditioning. 

The Yellowjackets employed a hounding man-to-man defense and called off their full court press with two minutes to play before the halftime. Mineola allowed only 15 points to the Big Sandy side in the first half while forcing a similar number of turnovers from the Wildcats.

The next couple of weeks will step up the competition for Mineola, and much will be learned about this unique team. The Jackets will visit Lone Oak Nov. 21 and West Rusk Nov. 24 before hosting Rains Nov. 29 and Longview on Dec. 2.