“She’s the consummate teammate.” So said Georgetown Lady Eagles head coach Rhonda Farney after 6-foot senior post Mackenzy Mouton signed a letter of intent on Tuesday to continue her basketball career at Howard Payne University, an NCAA Division III school in Brownwood. New GHS girls assistant Corey Cunningham already has recognized Mouton’s “consummate” contribution to the defending District 18-5A champions: “She’s a phenomenal teammate. She enjoys seeing her teammates do well.”
Mouton, in her third season on the Lady Eagles varsity, followed the theme when asked what she wanted to accomplish in her future with the HPU Yellow Jackets: “I just want to be a benefit to the program.” The signing had a special feeling for Farney, who graduated from Howard Payne where she credits legendary ‘Jackets track coach Don Hood for her decision to follow coaching as her profession. “I never push anybody toward Howard Payne, but I was very happy to see her decision.” GHS junior varsity coach and varsity assistant Tosha Doherty added, “We know she will do great things at Howard Payne.” Howard Payne, which competes in the Western Division of the American Southwest Conference, currently stands 3-5 on the season under second-year head coach Yannick Denson. The ‘Jackets’ have qualified for the ASC championship tournament for the last 16 consecutive season.
In addition to her on-court skills, Mouton, an all-district honorable mention choice as a junior, will add another important presence for HPU — a player over 5-foot-9. This year the ‘Jackets’ roster only shows two players over that mark — a pair of freshmen who stand 6-0 and 6-2. Also, she will bring the background of a winner to HPU, which has approximately 1,000 undergraduate students. As a sophomore, GHS finished second in its district and last year roared to a perfect 12-0 mark in district and the area round of the playoffs as a junior. The Lady Eagles are favored to repeat as 18-5A championship this season.
“I fell in love with the coaches and the campus,” Mouton said of her decision on where to start her drive to accomplish her goal of becoming a veterinarian. Asked what she needs to do to hone her talents for the next level, Mouton answered, “stay focused and work hard everyday.” How much did playing at GHS help her development? “Coach Farney taught us to emphasize the team aspect and how to work hard,” said Mouton, who had family (including parents Preston and Dena), friends, teammates and coaches on hand for her signing.”
In addition to Mouton’s ability to function as the consummate teammate, Farney said, “She is one of the least selfish players I’ve ever been around.” However, assistant coach Katie Youngblood pointed to an area where it was tough to discipline Mouton. “I hated to get mad at her. When she reacted with those big puffy eyes, It made it tough.” Mouton becomes the second Lady Eagle to sign this fall, joining post/forward McCall Hampton, who chose NCAA D-II St. Edwards to continue her athletic and educational adventure.