MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — It’s never easy to talk about losing someone you’re close to. It’s even harder when the person you’ve lost is your student and an athlete on your team.
The holidays just make it harder.
“Rylee [Burnette] was energetic and talented,” Clay-Battelle coach Dave Joyce said. “She was one of the fastest kids I’ve ever coached. She was on her way to 1,000 points in the midseason. She was that extra coach you need on the floor that every coach looks for, that their mind runs the same as yours.
“And Rylee was that: She knew what the bigger picture was and what needed to happen. After practice was over or even in class, I could sit and talk to Rylee as well as or better than most students. She had a mature mindset and you could talk to her like an adult. She had a great sense of humor and personality to go along with that.”
Losing Burnette brought heartache for a young woman lost too soon — even for teams across the state that played the Cee-Bees — but it also left the Clay-Battelle girls’ basketball coaches searching for a new lineup plan, being down a point guard. Luckily, Joyce and crew have a resilient group of girls who have stepped up amid the adversity.
“We’ve appreciated that other teams have done things to recognize her at the beginning of games,” Joyce said. “I’ve said before that our kids have to relive that every time someone else goes through that, but other teams need closure, too. She’s made an impact on other schools.
“We’ve done a lot less running [in games] — I don’t think we’ve had a breakout lay-up yet this year. We just don’t have the speed for it. I thought early on we’d look at crashing the boards and get lay-ups, but then we don’t have anyone back to stop a fast break. We’re [still] working toward our strengths.”
Those strengths include Liv Ammons and Joleigh Sollars, two lockdown players who average double digits each game. Ammons is averaging 15.5 points per game after dropping 17 on Trinity in Friday’s rivalry game, and Sollars, the lone senior on the team, nets around 13 per game and is clutch from 3-point range.
“Each of them lead in different ways,” Joyce said. “Liv has a great attitude about life and has an excellent talent, and Joleigh is the older statesman. You talk about a kid that can step up, there’s a lot of good to be said about [Sollars].”
One thing Joyce wants folks to keep in mind is that, even though all readers see in the newspaper is scoring, he has a group of girls who are finding ways to push the Cee-Bees (3-2) each game. They may not be undefeated through the first few weeks, and they’re probably going to lose more, but he knows his team will always be competitive.
“As far as talent goes, we have three juniors who are holding the team together. One of them is Camren Watson that has a similar personality to Ammons. They’re as pleasant as kids as you can be around, and the younger kids notice that. It’s not a mope fest. We’re always moving on [win or lose]. Autumn Stewart has always been [around] and Sydney Wilson has stepped up to fill a big void. She’s done a ton of stuff for the team that you don’t notice in a newspaper article.
“As far as preparation goes, we’re going to be in every game. I don’t know if it will come out with a ‘W,’ but we’ll always be in the game.”
The Cee-Bees have a long break before hitting the hardwood again, not playing again until Jan. 3, at South Harrison. One thing is certain: They deserve that break.
