The Natalia Lady Mustangs began practice on the hardwood last week as did girls around the state of Texas. Natalia will be led by former Natalia Head Boys Coach (2005-2007) and current NHS Assistant Principal Doug Lum for the 2018-2019 season.
“We are fortunate to have Coach Lum on staff to take over the girls program,” Natalia Athletic Director Ilyan Martinez said. “He has a proven track record for rebuilding successful programs and I am excited he gets this opportunity here.”
The Poteet native began his career in Natalia in 2005 where he served as an assistant from 2002-2005. He took over the Mustangs and coached the Mustangs from 2005-2007 before taking a job as the Head boys coach in McMullen County from 2007-2009. From Tilden, Lum was recruited as the Head Girls Coach in Jourdanton from 2009-2016 before he moved into administration in J-Town from 2016-2018.
Currently, there are around 14 girls out for basketball due to the fact that volleyball is still competing. Once volleyball comes to an end, Lum is expecting an additional 20 athletes or so to come out for basketball this season.
“The first few days of practice went really well,” Coach Lum said. “There is a lot of excitement leading up to the season and there is a lot of potential in this program.”
District 30-3A will help Natalia have a better chance to be successful as they lost power-houses like Poth, Karnes City and Cole.
Natalia will now compete against Laredo Harmony Science, Cotulla, Jourdanton, Dilley and Lytle in district play.
“The girls are working hard and our goal is to get better each day by practicing and playing at a high level every time we step onto the floor,” Lum said.
Lum was asked what his philosophy will be on offense and defense and he stated the following:
“We are going to try and push the ball a little on offense and I think our kids will fit well in an up-tempo style of play,” Lum said. “Our offense will hopefully be jump started by turnovers and bad shots we can create defensively.”
Natalia opens scrimmage play on Saturday, November 3rd at home as they host the Comfort Deer and the Somerset Lady Bulldogs.
The Lady Mustangs will open their season officially on November 6th on the road against the Somerset Lady Bulldogs.
By Eric Smith