Sisters on the hardwood, Lane and Lyon will play at the next level together at Milligan

Published 12:52 pm Friday, April 14, 2023

By Ron Marvel
Star Correspondent
As little kids, basketball brought Renna Lane and Lina Lyon together; they formed a friendship that meant so much to them that they couldn’t see playing without each other at the next level. In front of a large crowd of supporters, Lane and Lyon signed to continue wearing the black and orange for the next four years together.
EHS Athletic Director Forrest Holt kicked off the signing ceremony Wednesday by acknowledging and thanking Lane and Lyon for their contributions to the basketball team and the school; he also acknowledged how well this duo has represented EHS in the community. Head Basketball Coach Lucas Andrews then spent time discussing what each girl brought to a program that finished runner-up in the State this year. Beyond the team, each of these girls received numerous personal accolades, including both scoring 1000 points/500 rebounds and assists, numerous All-Tournament and All-Conference awards and numerous State awards. “Big time-leadership; even as freshmen, I would often have to tell these girls to go home, get some rest. They were always working, team first girls … awards came but none of that mattered to them, The reason we had success in our program was on them  and they have left this program in a better place than they found it.” Both girls decided to wait until the end of the season to sign so the focus would not be on them during the season.
First to sign was Lina Lyon, affectionally referred to as “Lightening” Coach Andrews called her a player who would brighten a locker room and lead by example. Milligan Women’s Head Basketball Coach Kylie Greer described Lina as a player that is just fun to watch, “she loves tough situations, embraces them, she does things that just makes you go Woah! how did she do that? More so, she is just a great person.” Greer added. Next up to sign was Lane whom Coach Lucas called one of the hardest workers he has ever had. Where Lina was perhaps known more as a scorer, Lane was a kid who would clamp down on a team’s best player, “she is a physical player; we asked her to guard the other team’s best player every single night,” Andrews said. Coach Greer added, “One of the things I love about Renna is her desire to do the dirty work; she called and asked what do I need to work on so I can get better and get minutes.”
Holding back tears, Coach Andrews stated, “I want to thank them for everything they did for the program; they made the program better and me better; one more thing that I want everyone to know is that these two girls fought to keep the Lord center of our program, that is the biggest thing I am proud of them for.” After Lane signed the girls paused for numerous pictures with teammates, friends, and family members. Towards the end of the program Greer talked about their desire to stay together “it is really cool, how much they wanted to stay together and play together and how better they make each other, we are excited to see that carry over into our program” Greer added.
As people started to leave both players stayed and shared what the day meant to them, “this means the world to us; we have been together since third grade and since we have been inseparable, we are more like sisters, “ Lane shared. “The opportunity to get four more years with my best friend, we had other options, but to stay close to home and to each other was what we wanted,” Lyon stated. Lane also shared, “As we went to camps, people saw the bond we had and how well we played together.”
One of the first things you pick up from those who have played sports is how precious the relationships are to them that they built on the field and the court; often, those relationships will form a support system that stays with them through life. No doubt Renna and Lina have formed that bond! They both serve as an example of what is good and right about playing sports.

Subscribe to our free email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox