Like a master chess player, Hazelwood Central senior LaTonya Davis likes to stay one step ahead of the competition. That is why Davis, a second team all-conference Suburban North forward soccer selection last year, knows the tendencies of her opponents.
“I usually draw the fastest girl on the other team. I try to force my opponent to their opposite side or weak side by cutting off the angles. I also try to anticipate who my opponent might pass the ball to,” said Davis.
“As the captain, I need to keep my head in the game, be mentally focused and beware of situations (time on the clock, penalties against the opponent). That way you can stay one step ahead and take away something from your opponent.”
Outthinking her opponents and staying ahead of the competition, Davis led Hazelwood Central to a 16-8-3 record overall last year, finishing one-half game behind Hazelwood West in the Suburban North Conference standings as both tied for first place. Hazelwood Central had a 90-33 goals-for-and-against average. On defense, Davis helped Hazelwood Central allow only 1.2 goals per game last season.
On offense, Davis often starts the offensive attack for Hazelwood Central. Her favorite play is the give and go.
Communication as a unit, Davis said, will be responsible for Hazelwood Central’s success on the field this season.
“As captain, I am the leader of the team,” said Davis. “To be successful as a team, we have to communicate and talk to each other and work together as one unit.
“If one person will not work, we are missing one person functioning correcting, playing four-on-five. But our team is like a family. As the saying goes there is no ‘I’ in ‘team.'”
Davis remains above her Suburban North opponents by being in superior physical shape. The Hazelwood Central team runs for endurance to increase stamina. They run sprints for 20 minutes to increase speed, crunches and do push ups to develop upper-body strength. The Hazelwood Central team uses plyometerics exercises that are designed to prevent knee injuries and strengthen hamstring muscles.
Coach Mike Skordos insisted that Davis has matured as a player.
“LaTonya played on the junior varsity as freshmen and varsity as sophomore. She is now stronger, she has confidence in her game and has matured,” said Skordos.
“LaTonya used to be afraid of a challenge. Now, LaTonya will go one on one against an opponent and distribute the ball.”
Skordos contended that Davis’ maturity level is not restricted to the playing field.
“LaTonya has volunteered her time operating the concession stands for the volleyball team and doing the statistics for the basketball team. She is also involved in student council, and yet LaTonya plays soccer at a high level.” Skordos said.
“She is a hardworking player and understands that 90 percent of the game is to keep the ball away from the opponent.”
Davis started playing soccer at the age of four when her mother, Andrea Davis, who played for Pattonville, introduced her to the game.
Davis believes that she and her teammates are ready to play this season.
“If everybody does what they are supposed to do, everything will be good. We have good speed and a group of great girls. We got the positive attitude, the skills and motivation,” Davis said.
“Before this season, I had the goal of winning state and winning every game in the tournament. Then, everybody will watch us on the big field because the spotlight will be on us.”
Hazelwood Central began the season against Fort Zumwalt South with a 2-0 victory, a 4-2 win against Trinity, a 1-1 tie against Alton Marquette and a 2-1 loss to Edwardsville in the Bi-State Shootout. Hazelwood Central opposes rival Hazelwood East at Ritenour on Monday at 4 p.m in the Suburban North tournament.
