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Durant Lady Lion basketball player Maya Dodson has signed to play with Austin College. Also shown are her parents Joe and Hannah Dodson and brother Wyatt Dodson. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat
Senior Maya Dodson has been a key cog in the Durant Lady Lion basketball success over her career despite being plagued by injury difficulties.
Over the past three years, Dodson was one of the team leaders in every offensive category while helping the Lady Lions to an overall record of 37-34. That mark included the program’s first postseason victories since the 2012 season.
Dodson was able to parlay that success to a chance to continue her playing career at the next level, just down the road at Austin College in Sherman, fulfilling a dream she admitted to having as long as she could remember.
“Maya has fought through injuries to be one of our statistical leaders the last three years,” head coach Will Robinson commented. “She has been such a tremendous leader for us both on and off the court and a great role model for the younger players in the program. It’s going to be a big hole for us to replace, especially the character and work ethic she has had both on and off the court.
“I have no doubt she will be successful in whatever she does from here.”
After missing all but three seasons her freshman year due to a torn ACL, Dodson returned to spearhead the Lady Lion attack despite batting through more injuries as times along the way.
As a senior in Durant’s area tournament run, she notched 11.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per contest.
“Having a community that is all about growth and improvement, combined with facing tough competition all year long has prepared me for the next level,” Dodson said. “Deciding to go to Austin College was a multifaceted process. What truly resonated with me was the culture. It’s hard to describe, but the palpable sense of community really roped me in. From the moment I stepped on campus, I felt welcomed and like I was already a part of the team.”
She will look to fit in quickly with a youthful and growing Austin College program that only had three total upperclassmen (three seniors) on this year’s roster which won nine games. That was a sharp improvement for the Kangaroos after posting only one victory the previous season.
Dodson plans to major in Business Management or Business Administration.