STRONG PLAYERS. STRONGER WOMEN – How Lasonia White Leads the Lady Eagles On and Off The Court

Nike introduces the Support Her Sole x Hibbett Sports campaign, which encourages Gen-Z girls and millennial women to knock down boundaries and showcase the power that comes from athletics. Ten schools were chosen to receive a $10,000 grant to support their women’s basketball programs with athletic needs from shoes to equipment to travel. South Cobb High School is one of the honorees.

AUSTELL, GA—Lasonia White knows exactly what basketball can do for young women.

Self assurance, she says. Validation. Positivity and pride. The lessening of the constant pressure to fit in.

White knows because she’s been there. She’s been playing basketball since elementary school, and continued on in college before getting her masters degree in Sports Management. After a stint with the Atlanta Hawks, she became a teacher and joined South Cobb’s women’s basketball coaching staff in 2017. Now the head coach, White remembers basketball’s role in shaping her on and off the court—a well-rounded approach to student-athleticism she imparts on her players.

“You’re able to be who you are, and people accept it because you’re a part of a team,” she said. “They see you as an athlete, but you see yourself as more.”

The players need to see themselves as students—and people—first, White says.

“You must have and keep a B average,” she says. “We try to build on that aspect. You need to be punctual, treat people the right way. We try to be that ideal program: when you join us, you’re going to learn something. You’re going to learn life skills.”

When White started at South Cobb, the women’s basketball program was in need of some tough love. The talent was there, she said, but the funds weren’t. She worked hard to turn the program around, taking the team to its first state playoffs in almost 15 years. While the pandemic put the program’s momentum on pause, White says her team is back and better than ever.

“I’m expecting a lot from these girls,” she said. “They are committed. Despite what has lacked in the past, they refuse to put their heads down. I know that basketball has given them a voice.”

That confidence comes from the top down. At South Cobb, women support each other at every turn. It looks like upperclassmen women being paired with younger players to serve as mentors; a locker room decorated with posters reminding the team of their season’s goals; and a strong female coach who’s been in their shoes.

“The biggest thing for me is to be a mentor for the girls,” White said. “I love it, I see it as my purpose. I love teaching the girls and seeing how they grow.”

Under White’s leadership, the Lady Eagles have been soaring. In addition to their standout 2019 season, the girls are leaders: volunteering in the community, supporting their fellow female South Cobb athletes at games, and excelling in the classroom.

“We always say, if we win any battle, it will be the GPA battle, so they take that very seriously,” she said. “Another goal is to begin with the end in mind. We try to spread positivity and hope it will connect with others.”

The secret to their success?

Each other.

“Girls become part of a team and you see their whole attitude change,” she says. “It teaches them that somebody is there for them that doesn’t give up on them; then they see that it’s more than basketball.”

The team is full of standout young ladies who’ve worked together to build back better, White says. She pushes them to grow as people, follow their own beliefs, and be there for each other. It’s hard work—for her and her players—which is why it means so much when it all pays off.

“The biggest thing is that we just want to be recognized, which is why we love that somebody chose us,” she said.

“It makes us feel like we must be doing something right.”Congratulations to South Cobb High School on being a Support Her Sole recipient.