There’s something about the start of a new basketball season that brings out the best in Weatherford sophomore Mackinley Haggard. Focused, driven, and determined, she’s setting clear goals for herself and her team. “My personal goals this season are to average around 10 points a game and earn myself a starting spot,” Haggard said.
Early impressions of the 2025 Lady Eagles give her plenty of optimism. “It’s super early in the season, but this team is full of girls with positive energy, and I have no doubt this will carry us through the season,” she said. That team chemistry, she believes, will be a big part of their success.
While confidence fuels her play, Haggard is quick to credit her team’s work ethic for the strides they’ve already made. “So far this year, our team has improved on ball handling, which will be a key factor in this upcoming season,” she said. With their sights set high, every practice carries purpose. “Some of our team goals this year are to win our regional and make it to the area tournament,” she said. “In practice, we don’t waste a second. We are always working on things we need to improve on, so we can achieve these goals.”
A 5’8” shooting guard, Haggard plays with precision and awareness. “When reading a defense, the first thing I look for is if they are in a zone or a man,” she explained. “I also look for a way to get to the basket or draw my teammates’ defenders in so I can kick it out to them, so they can score.”
Her competitive mindset shines through every time she hits the court. “Once I step on the court my mindset goes to be competitive and as aggressive as I can be,” she said. “Every shot counts, so don’t waste an opportunity.”
And for a young team, she knows effort and attitude make all the difference. “Something the fans may not know about this team is that we are a pretty young team, and we are all very close with each other,” Haggard shared.
When asked how she hopes to be remembered, Haggard didn’t hesitate. “I want my legacy to be the teammate who brought the team up and was a leader,” she said.
Off the court, Haggard stays just as busy—playing volleyball, serving on student council, and participating in Key Club. After high school, she plans to attend college and pursue a degree in radiology. For now, though, her focus is clear: play hard, lead with energy, and help her team make a deep postseason run.
