SOUR LAKE, Texas — The Hardin-Jefferson Lady Hawks are determined to make their third-straight State appearance.
For junior Kendall Sneed, her high school career has never seen a season that ends before San Antonio.
"It added a lot of pressure being a sophomore last year, just being so young, and then this year it being my last year with them [Seniors], and then next year it'll be my last year," Sneed said. "So you just want to see us get the job done, so the pressure is definitely on."
However, Kendall has handled any pressure with grace thanks to a little help from her dad, and former coach, Omar Sneed.
"I know growing up with Coach O, there's a lot on your shoulders coming up, but from our first game her freshman year, she relished that spot to have spotlight shining on her and in big moments, she's come through," Lady Hawks Coach Mike Fogo said. "It's neat watching her this year with Ashlon graduating, there's a lot more on her shoulders and so she's been able to get her teammates involved and kind of carry on what Ash's role last year was, but still stay true to the player that she is."
Kendall and the Lady Hawks are making strides back to State. They're beating district teams by an average 55.4 points per game and Kendall is contributing close to 17 points per game.
"I worked super duper hard this year just to know that we could go back to San Antonio and I would be sort of trying to commit this year and all that, so it really makes me work hard," Kendall said.
Kendall's desire to succeed is what Coach Fogo says will drive her future.
"It's one of those, like, you don't get to coach great all around kids all the time, and I'm proud to just be a part of her journey," Coach Fogo said. "She's smart enough to where she's going to be able to go to places where she wants, but I know that she's going to go somewhere that will allow her to be extremely successful for the rest of her life"