• Ross Cunningham •
• Originally published January 8, 2009 at 10:58 a.m., updated January 8, 2009 at 10:58 a.m.

Nearly five years after reaching her 300th career win, Bay City Ladycats coach Sherby Wilkerson savored her 400th career win following a 58-38 triumph over Sweeny on Tuesday, Jan. 6. Wilkerson won No. 300 on Feb. 19, 2004 at Pearland against Channelview in bi-district play. It was also the same night that former Bay City Blackcat coach Eddie Nelson won his 700th victory. Coach Wilkerson has now 400-127 record in 18 years at Bay City High School. “It’s a special recognition to have been here for 18 years and to have had the success I’ve had and I owe this special feat to the girls who have played for me because I can’t get the record without them,” said Wilkerson. “I have a goal for all my teams, not just to win games but you want them to win it the right way. I don’t like mediocrity. The only way to get them to the goal of being the best team they can be is to stay on them. You also have to know your kids and what they can do for you. In her 18 years as the Ladycats’ head coach, Wilkerson has led two teams to state and finished as the state runner up in 1998 to Canyon Randall. Outstanding players that she has coached in her career are All-American Chandi Jones who played at the University of Houston and is now a professional basketball player. Jones was a key player for the Ladycats during their playoff run to state in 1997 and 1998, Jhasmin Player who led Bay City to the regional tournament finals in 2004 and is now a senior at Baylor University. Other outstanding players she has coached were Latasha Carr, Jackie Jones, Nikita Pettit, Carolyn Harris Ra Ra Butler, Krystal Polk and Nikki Mayberry. The Bay City Ladycats wasted very little time in taking control of the game for coach Wilkerson’s 400th victory as they opened the first quarter with a 11-1 lead behind baskets by Halley Appling, Endaca Stuart, Alyssa Dibbern and Andrea Mayberry. Gabby Laday scored the first basket for the Lady Bulldogs with 3:52 left in the first quarter as Bay City led 11-3. The Ladycats answered back with a 11-point run for a 22-4 advantage. Senior Appling spear headed the scoring run for Bay City by making eight of the 11 points, which also included two shots from the foul line on a technical foul by Sweeny. The Ladycats closed out the first quarter with a 25-6 lead. Chris Holmes opened the second quarter for the Lady Bulldogs with a three pointer followed by sister Lynsey Holmes layup to narrow the gap for Sweeny to 25-11. The Ladycats answered back with baskets by Appling and Dibbern and Ashley Grice for a 32-11 advantage. The Lady Bulldogs followed with a six point run with four of the points coming from the charity stripe. Chazmin Franklin finished off the scoring in the second half for Bay City as she went 4 for 4 at the charity stripe as the Ladycats led at the half 36-20. Appling scored the first two baskets for Bay City to open the scoring in the third quarter as the Ladycats led 40-23. Lynsey Holmes hits a desperation shot for the Lady Bulldogs with a swarm of Ladycats all around her for the first basket of the quarter for the visitors and teammate Samantha Kendall hit a outside shot to narrow the gap as Bay City led 40-27. After coach Wilkerson called a time out the Ladycat responded and scored nine straight points for a 49-27 advantage. Leading the way in the rally were Ashley Grice and Devan Price. Bay City had little trouble with Sweeny in the third quarter as they led at the end of the quarter 50-28. Grice opened the fourth quarter with a lay up and later hit a basket on a fast break from a pass from Mayberry to clinch the win as Bay City went on to defeat the visitors 58-38. Appling went on to lead Bay City in scoring with 23 points followed by Ashley Grice with 12 points. The Bay City Ladycats team members are Andrea Mayberry, Arnitra Short, Halley Appling, Lynne Howard, Devan Price, Endaca Stuart, Ashley Grice, Alyssa Dibbern and Chazmin Franklin. “We have a lot of young girls on the team with talent but we have to stay focused and play as a team to be successful,” said Wilkerson. “Appling was awesome tonight and penetrated to get her shots. Dibbern did a good job of passing the ball at post and Mayberry also had a good game. Mayberry is very quick and lightning fast. Grice had a very good game after being in a slump the past week. She found her game tonight and played aggressive. All we need to do now to be successful in district is cut out the turn-overs and play as a team and we’ll be all right ” Coach Wilkerson said that she didn’t know if in the next five years she will reach the 500 win plateau but she will have fun trying. Bay City opens District Play on Friday, Jan. 9, at El Campo. Game time is at 7 p.m.

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