Girl's Basketball Preview

Assumption Rockets Head Coach: Ron Ferch Last Year's Record: 15-11 Key Returning Players: Kelsey Oliver (Sr. G), Sara Minogue (Jr. F), Clare Delahanty (Jr. G), Kayla McMahon (Jr. G), Molly Ernst (Jr. G/F) Coach's Comments: We have only two players with much varsity experience returning (Molly and Clare). I have been very pleased with the way our team has worked this summer. Molly Ernst has really improved her all-around game. Kelsey Oliver has improved her shooting, and Sara Minogue has been very strong underneath. I expect big things from sophomore guard Maggie Hartlage. We have a very challenging schedule, especially early in the season, but we should be very good by tournament time. Atherton Rebels Head Coach:  Steve Shartzer Last Year's Record:  11-18 Key Returning Player:  Meghan Chung (Sr. C) In 2007-08 she averaged 13.3 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Meghan is 258 points away from 1,000 career points. Coach's Comments: We lost a 1,000 point scorer, Nicki Dewitt, to graduation. Success will depend upon how the younger players develop. Meghan Chung will have to carry us, especially early in the year. Several new players will have to grow up fast and contribute—sophomores and freshmen will see a lot of varsity playing time. Our inside play should be our strength. Ballard Bruins Head Coach: Steve Kaufman Last Year's Record: 13-15 Key Returning Players: Nicole Heitz (Jr. G) and Larissa Stafford (Jr. G). Coach's Comments: Our young team has only one senior, a transfer. Our best play will be after Christmas break. We expect to make steady progress with our youth. As we gain some experience, we will begin to compete and have a chance to be a district and regional contender. Looking for leadership on and off the court. Someone(s) will have to step up if we are to have any success. Brown Lady Bears Head Coach: Ray Koch Last Year's Record: 7-18 Key Returning Players: Ellie Kolb (So. G), Natalie Wynn (So. C), Angelica Smith (Jr. G) Coach's Comments: We should take a big step up this season. We finally have experience and depth. We have 11 players, 6 with considerable varsity experience. We have 2 talented freshmen and 3 talented 8th graders, 3 seniors who can lead and more quickness and size than last year. We could start any of the 11 and have a good lineup. Bullitt Central Lady Cougars Head Coach: Bryan Bates Last Year's Record: 12-15 Key Returning Players: Lindsay Hester (Sr. G), Qualeatha Bennett (Jr. C), Keoka Hilliard (So. G) Coach's Comments: We expect to be better this year. We're still young (1 senior) but are faster and better shooters. Bullitt East Lady Chargers Head Coach: Chris Stallings Last Year's Record: 22-11 Key Returning Players: Kayla Thacker (Jr. G), Shelby Romine (Jr. Post), Chelsey Smith (Sr. Wing) Coach's Comments: We will have depth at the guard and wing spot from junior Jade Troutman, senior Jamie Simpson and senior Kelly Cunningham along with sophomore Jessica Philpott. In the post we have juniors Sam Johnson and Jackie Stevens along with sophomore Lindy Young. We are again in a very tough district and region we will have to find some scoring and be consistent on offense. We will be bigger than we have been in the past, so rebounding should be a strength. Butler Bearettes Head Coach: Eddy Wilson Last Year's Record: 33-5 Key Returning Players: Heather Wheat (So. 5' 6),  Megan Cureton (So. 5'8), Shontel Bates (Sr. 5'5), Tiara Hopper (Sr. 5'11), Whitney Reed (Jr. 5'9) Coach's Comments: Our expectation for the season is that we should be competitive with everyone in the state.  We could possibly compete again for the 6th region title if we can continue to improve throughout the year as we did last year. If we don't improve from October to March, then we are an average team at best. Eighth grader Aaeron Smith should give us some good minutes (competing for a starting job or coming off the bench) and she gives us added intelligence on the floor. Moriah Corey is an explosive rebounder and defensive specialist. Christian Academy of Louisville Centurions Head Coach: Don Rice Last Year's Record:  N/A Key Returning Players: Nita Slaughter, (F, Committed to U of L), Clair Buchanan (G), Hannah Bowman (F) Coach's Comments: We should be good on defense and have the ability to score from any where on the floor. Very quick. I Look for Nita and Clair to have a banner year in scoring and we should go 9 deep. Doss High School Lady Dragons Head Coach: Glendale Zell Last Year's Record: 8-16 Key Returning Players: Alexis Hester (Sr. F), Terri Covington (Sr. G), Taniesha Gore (Sr.), Briayanna Britt (Sr. G/F), Channel Baker (Jr. G), Breauna Evans (Jr. G), Lay Lay Owens (Jr. F), Oshai Lopes (So. G) Coach's Comments: Sashly Pham will add strength inside; Tiara Towns will add speed and defense; Euzané Williams could see some action. Channel Baker (All-Region 2nd team as a freshman) has over 500 points coming into her junior year and will continue to be a threat this season. Terri Covington will be able to dish or score. Alexis Hester is consistently strong inside and may also play outside where she has a great shooting touch. Breauna Evans was the strongest defender last year and she should be a quality offensive player as well this year. Last year's 8-16 was disappointing and we definitely underachieved. We played two pretty competitive games with Iroquois that demonstrated our potential and hopefully we can show that level of play consistently this year. Our big hurdle will be the lack of height, but we will have more strength underneath with the addition of Pham and we will play an up-tempo game to compensate. duPont Manual Lady Crimsons Head Coach:  Stacy Pendleton Last Year's Record: 30-6 Key Returning Players: Avery Jones (Sr. F), Zakiyah Martin (Jr. F), Jordan Trimble (Sr. G), Brittney Turner (Jr. F), Kara Wright (Fr. G), April Wilson (Fr. G) Coach's Comments: We have four very good freshmen in our program along with several returning kids (especially in the post) with loads of big game experience.  Our depth and athleticism should wear teams down along with our post game. Growing into and accepting roles will be the biggest challenge for our team Eastern Eagles Head Coach: Zena Heckstall Last Year's Record: 6-19 Key Returning Players: Justyne Sublett (Sr. PG), Kourtney Woods (Sr. C), Alexis Biddix (Sr. G) Coach's Comments: Coach Zena Heckstall (Coach Z) begins her first year at the helm with a new coaching staff, a new offense and new expectations. After a disappointing season last year, Eastern looks to revamp the program with a strong senior class that returns four starters, along with some experienced juniors and sophmores and a nice crop of freshmen who will have an immediate impact on the team. As a former University of Louisville player, Coach Z mastered the skill of defense, which she brings this year to the Lady Eagles along with an uptempo style of play and an aggressive pressing in-your-face defense that will lead to easy baskets and a lot of entertainment and enthusiasm for the fans, the players and the staff. Coach Z was an assistant coach for the last seven years at Moore High School. Fairdale Lady Bulldogs Head Coach: Marco Price Last Year's Record: 22-9 Key Returning Players: Wenisha Mack (Jr. G), Nakharra Gaines (Jr. G/F), Kayla Thompson (Sr. G), Jreyana Warfield (Sr. F) Coach's Comments: I, as well as the team, have a high outlook on the upcoming season and feel comfortable with our chances at reaching state. We know that we will have to beat Bullitt East, Butler or Iroquois or all three, but we want that challenge. If the returners become leaders and we get good effort from Hayes and Strong (freshmen) we will be competitive. If we live up to our potential we should win our 6th consecutive district championship and reach our ultimate goal and that is the Sweet 16. Fern Creek Tigers Head Coach: Michelle Fries Last Year's Record: 21-11 Key Returning Players: Asia Grigsby (So. G), Holly Bernard (So. G), Teonia McCune (So. C) Coach's Comments: We have a good group of athletes with great attitudes who want to be players. We lost a lot of talent last year in Monique Reid and Sherrice Gaines that will be impossible to replace, but our outlook is to be competitive with everyone we play. Holy Cross Cougars Head Coach: Fred Copass Last Year's Record: 18-9 Key Returning Players: Staci Floyd (Sr. G), Robin Deckard (Jr. PG), Olivia Moore (Jr. C), Jordan Rickert (Jr.) Coach's Comments: We'll be a great defensive team. We have a great junior class, three seniors that are outstanding, and a freshman and a sophomore who will help. This is going to be a great team. I don't know how many wins we'll have, but they have a great attitude, good chemistry and they all get along with each other. Wins will come, but they key is we have a good, close-knit bunch. Our weaknesses are we are not real quick or real big and we're not a good outside shooting team. Girls I think will fill in will be Kristen Boone, a senior, Rachel Richardson, Lindsay Roarx and Lee Ann Geraghty. Iroquois Lady Raiders Head Coach: Al Northington Last Year's Record: 26-7 Key Returning Players: We return all five starters— Asia Mathies (Sr. PG), Kayla Hickman (Sr. SG), Stefania Taylor (Sr. G), Adia Mathies (Sr. C) and Victoria Brown (Jr. F) Coach's Comments: Our big challenge is to build a bench. We lost two key players from our bench. Carmen Talbott and Asia Kindle will be good players coming off the bench. Carmen is a small guard. Asia will play guard and forward. Meka Birdsong is a senior and an experienced player who will play center off the bench. This could be a great season for us. The four top girls have been with me for seven years. They are a very experienced team — we call them the fantastic four. We're very talented, we just have to get the bench. Kentucky Country Day Bearcats Last year's record: 12-14 Key Returning Players: Emory Goins (Jr. G, 7.9 ppg), Shelbi Hendricks (Fr. F, 8.3 ppg/8.6 rpg), Ellen Esterhay (Jr. G, 1.5 ppg/2.3 rpg) Coach's Comments: We will be extremely young. One senior, two juniors. Will need our younger players to develop very quickly. Most of our younger players do have varsity experience—this should be a plus. Offense will center around the inside play of freshman Shelbi Hendricks and the guard play of juniors Emory Goins and Ellen Esterhay. Goals— to win the All A 7th region and to finish with a winning record. Louisville Male Lady Bulldogs Head Coach: Leslie Scully Last Year's Record: 9-15 Key Returning Players: Gillian Griggs (Sr. G), Candace Mosby (Sr. F), Taryn Moran (Sr. F), Brea Petty (Sr. F), Maleshia Gilcrease (Sr. C), Natasha Janes (Sr. G), Ashley Spratt (So. G) Coach's Comments: Our goal this year is to get to the Regional tournament. The team improved over the summer with strong a performance at summer camp. We are looking for major contributions from all the seniors. Our point guard, Natasha Janes, will lead us on the court with a strong scoring performance by Sophomore Ashley Spratt. Both girls are capable of scoring in double figures. Guard Gillian Griggs will lead our defensive efforts with her speed and quick hands. Our inside play will be improved from last year as Candace, Brea, Taryn and Maleshia have gained confidence and gotten stronger rebounding and scoring inside. We are very excited about several of our young players in junior forward, Emily Doane, sophomore forward, Monique White and freshman guards Andrea Owen, Jossie Gomez and Brittinee Jones. As always our district (25th) is a difficult one, with the 7th Region being one of the most competitive in the state. Mercy Jaguars Head Coach: Mark  Evans Last Year's Record: 18-14 Key Returning Players: Therese  Montano (Jr. G), Madison Hardy (Jr. C), Malisa Cruz (Jr. F), Ellen Sholtes (Jr. G), Catherine Montano (Sr. C - Returning from Late Season ACL  surgery). Coach's Comments: Jules Miller, Lauren Faris and Makenzie Hemming had an excellent summer. This group loves to play the game. They have worked hard getting stronger and better conditioned since the end of last season. Keys for us this year falls on our post players. We have two players who have been hampered by injuries. If they can get and stay healthy, we will be very good inside and out. We have very high expectations for this year, but realize we have our work cut out in the 7th Region. North Oldham Lady Mustangs Head Coach: Nancy C. Martin Last Year's Record: 9 - 14 Key Returning Players: Erin Overcash (Sr. G/F), Olivia Raffli (Jr. G), Amanda Mattern (Jr. F), Allison Olive (Jr. C) Coach's Comments: The Lady Mustangs of North Oldham H.S. will surprise many people this season. With the leadership and play coming from returning players and a strong group of new players, they should be contenders for the 31st District title. The Lady Mustangs have a new attitude and  "passion" for the game of basketball and are ready to hoop it up!! Oldham County Lady Colonels Head Coach: Larry Just Last Year's Record: 15-15 Key Returning Players: Audri Beaudrie (Sr. G), Emily Lape (Jr. F), Ericka Hardin (So. G) Coach's Comments: Like in any coaching change, there are new expectations and a new system for players to learn. It will take us some time to learn the system. I believe our kids have worked hard and will continue to work hard and play hard. I hope that we can teach them the game of basketball, so they can play with discipline and with a purpose on the floor. I don't know how we will match-up each night, but our goal will be to get better every day with a chance to be competitive in February and March. I am excited about the players that we have. I think if they want to be a competitive team, then they have the tools to get them there. We look forward to the challenges that we will face this basketball season. Pleasure Ridge Park Lady Panthers Head Coach: Buddy Fluhr Last Year's Record: 9-20 Key Returning Players: Jo-Jo Lavender (Sr. F) 7ppg, 10rpg, 3spg, Emily Hibbs (So. G) 3ppg, 1rpg Coach's Comments: We are looking to rebuild this year with only 5 returning varsity players. We will be young and inexperienced early on and will rely on scrappiness and hustle to be competitive. Jo-Jo Lavender is the top returning player scoring nearly 7 points and grabbing 10 rebounds a game. She has her eyes set on breaking our rebounding record this season. Emily Hibbs is the top returning guard having started 13 games as a freshman last season. Portland Christian Lady Eagles Head Coach: Will Nethery Last Year's Record: 4-20 Key Returning Players: Jaclyn Nethery (Sr. F), Autumn Dunn (Sr. C), Deidra Herd (Jr. G), Danielle Wilson (Fr. G) Coach's Comments: We're going to work hard to be in better physical condition for this coming season, as that hurt us last year. We have a lack of size in the post, but we play strong and aggressive low. There is some young talent that we're very excited about that will help us fill roster spots, which opened up. We're confident our competitiveness will improve this year. Presentation Toppers Head Coach: David  Jackson Last Year's Record:17-13 Key Returning Players: Susan Stein (Sr G/F), Kristyn Craven  (Sr F/C), Chrisanna Roberts (Sr  G) Coach's Comments: We have 3 of our top 6 players returning from last year but our varsity experience runs out with those three. We will be counting heavily on the three seniors but we do have several younger players who with some experience should give us the depth that we will need. Our biggest concern is how quickly and how many of the younger players can gain the experience needed to play at the varsity level. At the top of the list are juniors Sarah Davis, Alex Hoffman and Emily Patterson, and sophomores Rachel Russ and Kat Hall. Sacred Heart Valkyries Head Coach:  Donna Moir Last year's Record:  19-13 Key Returning Players: Autumn Miller (Jr. G), Jackie Hafele (Jr. F), Maddie Peabody (So. G) Coach's Comments: SHA should be one of the top teams in the 7th region along with Manual, Mercy and CAL. SHA has the goal to win the region and advance to the state tournament.   St. Francis Wyverns Head Coach: Latasha Peterson Last Year's Record: 4-20 Key Returning Players: Allie Deitel (Sr. G) , LaBreya Firman (Jr. G), Jasmine Smith (Jr. G) Coach's Comments: I'm excited about the season, since this is my first year as head coach. We have freshmen coming in that I'm excited about, including Zsa Zsa Harris. I want to focus on trying to make our record better and get us on a winning journey. We want to have a better season this year. Shelby County Lady Rockets Head Coach: Sally Zimmerman Last Year's Record: 21-9 Key Returning Players: Haleigh LeCompte Coach's Comments: With the loss of division one and 4 year starter Raechele Gray, this year's squad will be young and inexperienced at the varsity level. A guard-heavy team, this year's version of the Lady Rockets will be a fun group to coach and watch. If they grow and develop as the season progresses, then they should be a region contender in March. South Oldham Lady Dragons Head Coach: Frank Wright Last Year's Record: 22-8 Key Returning Players: Jordann McGuffin (Jr. G), Allison Reynolds (Sr. F) Coach's Comments: With four starters graduating from last year's 22-8 team, much is up in the air regarding the 2008-09 Lady Dragons. Jordann McGuffin, a 5-8 junior guard, is the only returning regular starter. Replacing five seniors, including Kentucky All-Star Lauren Jones, will be the major task, as most of the team's rebounding, scoring, ball handling and game experience is the main task at hand. Other players to watch: 5-9 senior forward Allison Reynolds, 6-0 senior center Brittany Shaver, 5-9 sophomore forward Brooke Haysley, 5-9 freshman guard Jasmine Whitfield and 5-8 junior guard Vikki Bray. A talented freshman class may produce other help for the team. Southern Lady Trojans Head Coach: Kevin Kennedy Last Year's Record: 6-15 Key Returning Players: Nicole Haarman (Sr. G, 8 ppg), Samantha Starkey (Jr. G, 9 ppg), Shavone Jackson (So. F) Coach's Comments: We are a quick team that can handle the ball and shoot; eight returning players have varsity experience. Expectations are much greater for this team and it is going to be a challenge for everyone to step and improve their roles. Two seniors, Anna Sisouvahn and Megan Douglas will be asked to play a more important part this year. I will expect more from the sophomore class of Shavone Jackson, Keona Daniel, Taylor Burns, and Linda Keopaseuth. We have some new players who will help improve our practices and push the others for playing time. This, together with top returning players Nicole Haarman and Samantha Starkey, will make this an exciting year. Spencer County Lady Bears Head Coach: Daniel Cox Last Year's Record: 13-12 Key Returning Players: Kenisha Marshall (Sr. F), Shelby Pfeiffer (Sr. F), Chelsea Gross (Jr. F), Ashley Wiley (Jr. G) Coach's Comments: With the help of our four returning starters and the improved play of rising talent (senior forward Lindsey Kempf, junior guard Jayme Thomas, and sophomore guard Sydney Spencer), Spencer County is in a position to shake up the 8th region. Valley Lady Vikings Head Coach:  Preston King Last Year's Record: 9-14 Key Returning Players: Star Roberts (Sr. PG, 11 ppg, 4 apg), Jessica O'Conner (Sr. SF, 14 ppg, 5 rpg), Stevesha Harris (Sr. PF, 5 ppg, 8 rpg, 4 spg) Coach's Comments: The strong point of the team will be the senior leadership and experience that we have coming back. Offensively, everyone on the court needs to become a threat to score and we will need to build some depth behind the seniors we have. If we can work hard and get better each week, then hopefully we can make a run at tournament time. Waggener Wildcats Head Coach: Scott Ricks Last Year's Record: 1-24 Key Returning Players: Aiicha Kelly (Sr.), Katie Howard (Jr.), Ashley Palmer (So.) Coach's Comments: This year's team will be looking to move forward from last year's record.  We will be pressing and running. Coach Ricks will be working on the mental and physical part of the game and look for them to be much more disciplined in the execution of the offense and increased defensive pressure. The team's goal will be to make it to the Regional tournament. Whitefield Academy Lady Wildcats Head Coach: Nathan Crawford Last Year's record: 17-12 Key Returning Players: Becca Franke (Sr. G), Lindsey Parrish (Sr. wing), Shelby Jackson (Jr. wing), Abigail Halleron (Jr. post) Coach's Comments: In a nutshell, we are a good team that is going to be very good and even great at times. We will have a potentially undersized team when it comes to height and depth - we will make up for this with a tenacious intensity that is evident in the team's commitment to do things the right way - the basketball way. There are some lofty goals and exciting moments ahead for the Whitefield Wildcats as they set out to defend their 7th Region All-A championship from the 2007/2008 season. All in all, they are training and preparing themselves just as a Thoroughbred racehorse would prepare for the Derby. They are an absolute thrill and joy to coach and as their new coach, I could not wish for a grander bunch of young ladies. >>SOUTHERN INDIANA