The Statesboro girls' basketball team has implemented a new offense for the program during the summer. An offense made famous by one of the most dynamic players in NBA history — Michael Jordan.
    The Lady Blue Devils will be taking on the role of learning the triangle offense. An offense based on movement and spacing on the floor.
    With the Lady Blue Devils’ summer league play almost over, head coach Jeff Seier said his team has done exceptionally well learning the new style of play.
    “The kids have really enjoyed the offense because there’s a lot of cutting. The offense just takes a long time to implement,” Seier said. “We’re running the same offense the Chicago Bulls ran. It (the offense) can be confusing. It’s so confusing the New York Knicks gave up on it.”
    The Lady Blue Devils don’t exactly have a Jordan-caliber player returning this year, however, SHS will have plenty of athletic talent on the floor for the 2015-2016 season.
    The team will have five seniors on this year’s squad. Coach Seier said the amount of athletes he has on the team will make it easier to run the triangle offense.
    “Most of the kids who were on the (SHS) track team are on our team. We’re excited to show what we’ve learned this summer,” Seier said. “Some of our best players are still young so we’re hoping to get back to the powerhouse we were a few years ago.”
    The Lady Blue Devils finished the year 10-16 with a region record of 1-12. The team ended the season losing three of the last four games, including a tough 55-22 loss to South Effingham in the region playoffs.
    Coach Seier said he believes this group of girls can come together this season and compete in the region.
    “All teams are different. We take everybody’s best punch,” Seier said. “This team leads together.  We don’t have a best player. Those kids just step up and show the younger kids the ropes.”
    The Lady Blue Devils are coming to the end of their summer league play. SHS is in day three of the Armstrong Atlantic State University team basketball camp.
    Coach Seier said his team has won more games than they have lost, but isn’t concerned with wins and losses at this point.
    “We’re playing a couple of times a week and right now we’re trying to teach the kids to play within our system,” Seier said.
    In the past few years, the Lady Blue Devils have had Elite Eight and Sweet 16 appearances in the state playoffs. With the installment of a new offense and returning a core group of young talent, the SHS girls basketball team has a chance to turn the school’s basketball program around.
    “We have foot speed and we’re all playing at the same level. We’re finishing up camp and we’re just ready for the start of the new season,” Seier said.

    Horace Holloman may be reached at (912) 489-9408.