CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman Christian Lady Lions did some special things last season, as they went 11-15 and played in a Sub-Regional game for the first time ever. Senior basketball player Piper Coots has been playing basketball for eight years, and six of those years have been with the varsity Lady Lions team. Not only has she seen her overall game improve, but her relationship with the Lord has flourished as well. Coots will look to help lead Cullman Christian to even greater things this upcoming season.
“I have grown a lot mentally and physically, not just in my skills, but in my relationship with the Lord. I have improved the most on my offense. Coach Heith Yearwood has helped me grow my basketball skills and my relationship with the Lord. Mentally, I have become way stronger and have learned to endure,” Coots said. “A big thing for us is encouragement and rhythm. We need to encourage each other, even when we’re on a losing streak. We don’t need to lose motivation. When we are on a winning streak, we need to keep the rhythm and stay encouraged.”
Piper has had a blast playing for coach Yearwood so far and has taken away so many things from him.
“It is genuinely amazing. He has become one of the closest people in my life. He doesn’t just lead us in basketball but as a God-fearing man. He doesn’t just want us to win. His biggest thing is becoming amazing wives and mothers. We have all become like a family, and I truly couldn’t have asked for a better person to be playing for. As my senior year comes, I will miss the game, but mostly, I will miss coach Yearwood and the man he is. He has helped me with all my skills and basketball. He has been my coach since eighth grade. He has always encouraged me and wanted me to be the best I can be. My best game I’ve had so far was because we worked so hard on my shooting. He puts the time and effort into me and our team. I haven’t just learned about basketball, but the woman I need to be, not just for myself, but for my husband and future kids. He is an amazing role model in my life, and we couldn’t have asked for a better coach to play for.” Coots said.
She has had an amazing time around some great teammates, and the two seniors that she played with last year will be deeply missed by the whole team.
“It has been an amazing atmosphere. They are all filled with so much energy and laughs. They are all such good God-centered women to be around,” she said. “The two seniors on last year’s team were Gracie Stidham and Zoe Powell. Zoe was our point guard, and it will be a big loss for us. She was one of our good ball-handlers on the team. Gracie was a center. Zoe was a great encourager and always wanted the best for us. Gracie contributed immensely. What I’ve learned from them is that we need leaders on the team and how important it is to have a true leader. I also learned to not just depend on one person.”
It will be a mixture of underclassmen and upperclassmen on the Lady Lions this season, and summer workouts went great for them. Piper was impressed by how much the younger players continued to get better throughout the summer.
“This year’s seniors will be me and Lila Stubbs. It will be a mixture of underclassmen and upperclassmen this year. We have two juniors and two seniors, and the rest are seventh and eighth graders for the most part. They have done very well in summer workouts and will contribute greatly to this year’s team,” she said. “What impressed me the most about this team during the summer was the seventh and eighth graders adapting so well to the drills and skills in general. They have improved greatly, and I can’t wait to see them as they get older.”
Piper set some personal and team goals for the upcoming season, and Cullman Christian’s relationship with the Lord is so important to them.
“My goals are to beat my highest scoring game and focus on offense the most. My team goals are to grow closer to the Lord, become like a family, and showing the girls what a true leader is,” she said. “It is the most important thing. If we aren’t doing it for Him, then what else should we be doing it for? The Lord has guided me through my life, and I will give glory to Him in the game.”
Her favorite Bible verse and song has made a huge impact on her life. Faith has brought the Lady Lions even closer together on and off the court. She’s excited to play for coach Yearwood and with her team one last time, and she has learned so much during her walk with the Lord.
“My favorite Bible verse is Romans 8:18: ‘I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed to us.’ This verse is so important, because no matter what struggles I face, I know that God will always be with me. My favorite song is ‘The Blood’ by Prestonwood Worship. It talks about how the Lord is the only thing that can wash our sins away, and we need to lean on Him,” she said. “It has brought us together more than anything. We can always talk about the Lord and have girls that will always pray over you.”
Piper added, “I’m excited about having coach Yearwood for one more year more than anything. It’s very bittersweet being my senior year, but I’m so glad I’m getting to do this with the people I love the most. What I’ve learned during my walk with the Lord more than anything is that the Lord will guide you through everything. All the injuries I’ve had, I was very sad, but I know that the Lord will always be with me.”
