When Lindsay Evans was a freshman she averaged 13 points a game on a team that had a record of 13-16. While 13 wins may not seem like much, it was a drastic improvement from a squad that had only one win two years prior.
Coach Josh Hembree was in his second year of coaching Darlington’s girls’ basketball team at the time, and he could not have known how much his team would improve and how Evans would help them reach their current status at the No. 2 ranked team in GHSA’s Class A.
“The team is performing close to the level we as coaches felt they could," Hembree said. "They have embraced the fact that we are now the hunted rather than the hunter every time we play."
Now in his 5th year of coaching the girls, they are on pace (currently 17-2) to win more games than they did last year in 2011, which was an impressive 25. Their win total has increased every year Hembree has coached; from 14 in 2010, 13 in 2009, and 12 in 2008.
Evans is now a senior and the only senior on the girls’ basketball team. Hembree lauded her leadership: “Lindsay has always had a knack for scoring the basketball," he said. "The funny thing is that her scoring average has gone down the last two years… We don't necessarily need her to score 20-25 points every night like she did at times as a freshman and sophomore.”
Evans’ highest scoring average came as sophomore, when she averaged 17 a game.
“I would much rather win games than score points," Evans said. "The whole team has worked hard to make shots; there are so many scoring threats on our team.”
The team’s principal asset is its depth; there are nine girls on the team that average at least 13 minutes per game.
“Lindsay is by nature very unselfish, which is evident by her 5.5 assists per game average for her career," Hembree said. "What often goes unnoticed are all the other little things she does for our team—the rebounds, the steals, the charges taken, and the constant energy she has out on the floor.”
Evans leads the team in assists, rebounds, steals, three-point shots made, and minutes per game. Most of those assists are to sophomore center Terar Stewart, who leads the team in scoring with 15 points a game.
“‘T’ is the best post player in the Region," Evans said. "There might be other taller players, but she is the strongest and has the best post skills. When we feed her the ball, it opens up the perimeter.”
Even at the No. 2 slot, the team is not satisfied and they are still working to reach their goals. They want to win Region and reach the Elite 8 in the State Tournament, which would be farther than they have ever gone, according to Evans.
“We have room for growth in many areas, and are working hard to improve each day," Hembree said. "We want to stay hungry and humble.”
The girls' basketball team returns to action this Friday at 6 p.m. at Gordon Lee, who is ranked No. 6 in the State.
Statistical leaders through January 20:
Points per game:
1. Terar Stewart 14.7
2. Lindsay Evans 10.7
3. Maggie Beth Atha 8.2
Rebounds per game:
1. Lindsay Evans 7.9
2. Terar Stewart 7.6
3. Sarah Manning 4.7
Assists:
1. Lindsay Evans 99
2. Maggie Beth Atha 58
3. Alea Vick 31
Steals:
1. Lindsay Evans 82
2. Maggie Beth Atha 51
3. Alea Vick 43
3-point shots made:
1. Lindsay Evans 26
2. Sidney Stout 25
3. Maggie Beth Atha 14
