2009-10 Highland County Girls Basketball Preview
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
FAIRFIELD LADY LIONS
Returning 90 percent of their scoring and rebounding from last season, the Fairfield Lady Lions are looking to keep pace and eclipse the pace from their 12-9 season from last year.
This season the Lady Lions, who went 8-5 in the Southern Hills League a year ago, will have four seniors, two juniors, one sophomore and four freshman stepping onto the court for the girls program, losing just two starters from the 2008-09 season.
Seniors include: Lauren Bowman, Shelby Smith, Gabby Boone and Sadie Jones. Juniors are Chelsey Riddle and Megan Sword. The sophomore is Kortney Paris and freshmen include: Sirenity Smith, Amanda Sanderson, Courtney Huff and Stephanie Fraysier.
“I think with what we have returning this year, I feel good about the team,” third-year Fairfield girls head coach Matt Hodson said. “The girls have worked hard in the offseason and they have worked to get better. I am impressed with their work ethic from day one.”
Returning to the Lady Lions is All-State Special Mention Chelsey Riddle. As a sophomore last season, Riddle ruled inside of the paint scoring 388 points, 376 in the regular season. Her career-high game was 35 points on Jan. 22, 2009 at home against Whiteoak. Riddle also compiled 125 rebounds, 53 blocks, 39 steals and 25 assists. She shot 43.03 from the field in the 20-game regular season.
Also returning is senior Gabby Boone. Boone, who was selected All-District, scored 264 points last season. Boone led the team in shooting with a field goal shooting percentage of 46.40. Boone also grabbed 106 rebounds and blocked 24 shots.
“Chelsey and Gabby are strong underneath inside the post,” Hodson said. “They work very well together.”
Bowman also returns for her senior season. Bowman is a 3-point threat and netted 132 points a season ago in her junior campaign. Bowman also gained 92 rebounds, 47 assists and 10 blocks during the 2008-09 season.
Hodson said besides the three starters who are returning, the Lady Lions have others who will make an impact at the varsity level.
“Megan (Sword) played a mix of JV and varsity last season. She has stepped up in the offseason and will be a good No. 1 for us,” he said. “Sadie (Jones) is back after some time away from basketball and it is good to have her back. She’s very athletic and quick.”
The goals are the same as usual for Fairfield and that is to win the SHL championship. Last year the Lady Lions lost their final regular season game against Fayetteville, which crowned the league champion.
“We want to have a better run in the tournament than last season and we just want to keep getting better,” Hodson said. “I am looking forward to spending this season with the senior class. I’ve coached them since their freshman year and hopefully they can carry us to a good season.”
MCCLAIN LADY TIGERS
Even after losing seven seniors from last season, the McClain Lady Tigers return a talented and experienced team for the 2009-10 season, bringing back four starters, along with a new crop of players looking to make their mark on the Lady Tiger program.
The Lady Tigers, who finished 19-6, made a tournament run that will not be soon forgotten in Greenfield, as they reached the Sweet 16 in the Division II SE District Regional tournament a year ago while on the way winning a sectional and district title.
“We lost a lot of experience from last year, especially on the practice floor,” McClain girls head coach Dennis Overstake said. “When you have that much experience on the practice floor, it is like practicing against a varsity team each night.
“The younger kids are coming in and getting their feet underneath them. We just have to wait and see how they react in game situations.”
Seniors this season for McClain are Savanna Brown, Shelby Buck, Cortney Hyer, Alex Taylor, Kate Hammond and Megan Saylor. Juniors include Frankie Wise, Megan Hogle and Chrissy Cobb. Sophomores this season are Sammy Rooks, Kate Crabtree and Jenna Perie.
“I expect our seniors to do the same thing as last year, and that is to do things correctly and to help the younger kids,” Overstake said. “Our seniors should teach them good fundamentals by what they are doing on the floor.”
The goals of MHS are the same as they always have been: to win the South Central Ohio League championship and to earn a good spot for a tournament run.
“We have to get better from game to game,” Overstake said. “Last year we gelled at the right time and made the tournament run. This summer the girls played extremely well. We have to continue to work harder in practice and the younger kids will keep improving, along with the older kids.”
The Lady Tigers return All-Ohio Special Mention Kate Hammond. Hammond, a senior, scored 222 points in the regular season during her junior campaign. She also gained a total of 96 boards in the 20-game regular season.
“In most games last year we didn’t have to depend on Kate to do all the scoring. We were versatile and could play kids at several different positions. We hope to do that again this year, but our younger kids have to adjust and will have to play more than one spot. They are learning the game at the varsity level is much faster and physical,” Overstake said. “A lot of the girls are looking to Kate as the go-to person, but we still need other options. Others will have to step up and play defense.”
One thing similar from last year is the Lady Tigers’ lack of size compared to most teams.
“We didn’t get any bigger, and that forces us to become more aggressive,” Overstake said. “We have to keep our opponents from getting second and third shots. We have speed at certain positions, but early in the season we have to see what our subs can do.”
One thing Overstake said he and his coaching staff, which is the same as last season, is stressing is defense.
“Our defense will be key in games,” he said. “But no matter how well we play defense, we still have to score points. Both go hand in hand. We have to play tough defense to create offensive production.”
HILLSBORO
LADY INDIANS
This season the Hillsboro Lady Indians look to keep up the improvement that began last year with HHS winning their first game in a span of two years, as head coach Herb Mihalik said his team has improved this offseason.
“We are more mature and more physical than we were last year,” he said. “We have a better understanding of the abilities of our players, and our players have a better understanding of the system.”
After finishing 2-18 last season, the Lady Indians enter this year with six seniors in Heather Storer, Holly Royce, Meagan Barnes, Julie Shafer, Shelby Coyle and Paij Shelton. Juniors are A.J. Sanders, Jenny Willey and sophomores Danielle Gilman, Morgan Price, Whitney Earley, Annemarie Stamper and Carey Juillerat.
Returning letter winners are Coyle, Barnes, Storer, Shelton, Sanders and Stamper.
“The skill level of many of the players have improved because of their work this offseason.” Mihalik said. “The girls are shooting the basketball a lot better, which is something we didn’t do well last year.”
Mihalik is also pleased with the aggressiveness his team has shown in the preseason.
“The girls were aggressive in the scrimmages against Williamsburg, Northeastern and Batavia,” he said. “We are just so much farther along at this time of the season than we were last year.”
The Lady Indians want to keep improving each and every game.
“Our goals are to work hard to put ourselves in positions to take advantage of opportunities when they become available, to build a program to compete and be successful against teams on our schedule. We want to understand the team concept and believe in each other.”
LYNCHBURG-CLAY
LADY MUSTANGS
Entering her 22nd season at the helm of the Lynchburg-Clay girls basketball program, coach Linda Hatten (337-137) will battle the odds from the start of the season as she has just seven full time varsity players, with three players in the program playing both JV and varsity.
Last year L-C finished 18-4 overall, second place in Division I of the SHL.
“We have to stay healthy,” Hatten said. “We don’t have the depth like we would want, but this team has amazing chemistry and unselfishness.”
Hatten then elaborated on the Lady Mustangs’ chemistry.
“This group enters the game as a team to win the game. They are team oriented and an awesome group to coach,” she said. “They work hard, play hard and that is most of the battle as a coach to begin with. Them playing together like they do, it really is a positive.”
The Lady Mustangs, who won a sectional championship and made the district semifinals last year, return four starters in seniors Cali Hatten and Lindsey Hawk; and juniors Hannah Blankenship and Lillian Blankenship. Junior Meredith Fittro and sophomore Brooke Hertlein saw time at the varsity level last season. Also on the team this season are: junior Lisa Rhonemus, sophomore Karen Hilt and freshmen Laney Lewis and Emma Setty.
“Having four returning players makes it easy because I don’t have to teach a lot of new things,” Hatten said.
Last season, Cali Hatten scored 284 points in the regular season, averaging 13 points per game. She gained 201 rebounds (9.2 rpg) and shot 43 percent from the field, with nine double-doubles. Cali Hatten, who has started since her freshman season, made the All-SHL team for the third straight year, and was named to the District 14 and AP All-District teams.
“Cali is a strong post player for us,” Linda Hatten said. “With two seniors, both Cali and Lindsey have learned from the girls before them, who have led by example. Now they are stepping into that role, as they both have played through the system and learned by example.
“This group is easily led as nobody is out for individual motives. They all know it takes all of them to win and that is what’s great.”
Hawk is a returning District 14 selection for L-C, and the new additions for the varsity squad might put L-C over the top this season.
“Laney and Brooke are forwards and that adds a different dimension to the team. Their talents are a lot different than what we’ve had,” Hatten said. “Lindsey (Hawk) will run the point. Lillian is second in command and a great defensive player.”
Hatten then stated defense is a point of emphasis this year.
“We know we must play defense and I hope it is a strong point for us,” Hatten said. “We also have to be very aggressive on rebounds, and I hope that is our No. 1 strong point by the end of the season.”
WHITEOAK
LADY WILDCATS
After finishing with two wins last season, the Whiteoak Lady Wildcats are looking to make massive improvements in hopes of climbing back into the top half of the Southern Hills League.
Seniors this season for the Lady ’Cats include Emily Hargett, Kristen Seip and Sarah Smith. Seip will be in the starting lineup for the fourth consecutive season when the season begins.
Juniors include: Hailey Bingamon, Liz Carson, Brittany Waits, Lori Bratton, Kari Fannin, Ashleigh Crone and Hailey Hamilton. Sophomores are Jessie Gilliland, Brooke Burns and Marisa Bohl. The lone freshman is Britini VanZant.
Returning starters are Hargett, Seip, Smith and Gilliland.
A year ago WHS finished 2-19 overall, giving head coach Steve Smith his first losing season as coach of Whiteoak. Entering his 14th campaign with the Lady ’Cats, Smith thinks the varsity experience gained last season will be a plus for his team this year.
“Last year we were very young, and we had very little varsity experience,” Smith said. “Last year gave us the varsity experience we needed and that will help us this season.”
Also their scrimmage against CE, Smith said he was pleased with how his team played against a program that had 25 girls.
“We played them five quarters and we beat them three times,” he said. “We played well. We want to play an up-tempo game, but we can also play a slower game when we need to.”
Smith sees that as an advantage for his team.
“We are going to mix it up,” he said. “We will use Emily in our slower game, as she is becoming a force inside, but we can also use her in our quicker game when needed. I want us to pressure teams, but it will be a big help with our change of pace. Teams will have to scout us for various looks when we have the ball on offense.”
The Lady ’Cats possess speed and have decent size, with Hargett and Burns each standing nearly 6-0.
“We have some nice height,” Smith said. “Besides Emily and Brooke, we have four or five other girls who are 5-8 to 5-9. Overall, we have as much size as we ever had.”
Even with a tough season a year ago, Smith stated in eight games they lost by less than seven points.
“We were in games, but we just didn’t finish,” Smith said. “The experience helped.”[[In-content Ad]]
Returning 90 percent of their scoring and rebounding from last season, the Fairfield Lady Lions are looking to keep pace and eclipse the pace from their 12-9 season from last year.
This season the Lady Lions, who went 8-5 in the Southern Hills League a year ago, will have four seniors, two juniors, one sophomore and four freshman stepping onto the court for the girls program, losing just two starters from the 2008-09 season.
Seniors include: Lauren Bowman, Shelby Smith, Gabby Boone and Sadie Jones. Juniors are Chelsey Riddle and Megan Sword. The sophomore is Kortney Paris and freshmen include: Sirenity Smith, Amanda Sanderson, Courtney Huff and Stephanie Fraysier.
“I think with what we have returning this year, I feel good about the team,” third-year Fairfield girls head coach Matt Hodson said. “The girls have worked hard in the offseason and they have worked to get better. I am impressed with their work ethic from day one.”
Returning to the Lady Lions is All-State Special Mention Chelsey Riddle. As a sophomore last season, Riddle ruled inside of the paint scoring 388 points, 376 in the regular season. Her career-high game was 35 points on Jan. 22, 2009 at home against Whiteoak. Riddle also compiled 125 rebounds, 53 blocks, 39 steals and 25 assists. She shot 43.03 from the field in the 20-game regular season.
Also returning is senior Gabby Boone. Boone, who was selected All-District, scored 264 points last season. Boone led the team in shooting with a field goal shooting percentage of 46.40. Boone also grabbed 106 rebounds and blocked 24 shots.
“Chelsey and Gabby are strong underneath inside the post,” Hodson said. “They work very well together.”
Bowman also returns for her senior season. Bowman is a 3-point threat and netted 132 points a season ago in her junior campaign. Bowman also gained 92 rebounds, 47 assists and 10 blocks during the 2008-09 season.
Hodson said besides the three starters who are returning, the Lady Lions have others who will make an impact at the varsity level.
“Megan (Sword) played a mix of JV and varsity last season. She has stepped up in the offseason and will be a good No. 1 for us,” he said. “Sadie (Jones) is back after some time away from basketball and it is good to have her back. She’s very athletic and quick.”
The goals are the same as usual for Fairfield and that is to win the SHL championship. Last year the Lady Lions lost their final regular season game against Fayetteville, which crowned the league champion.
“We want to have a better run in the tournament than last season and we just want to keep getting better,” Hodson said. “I am looking forward to spending this season with the senior class. I’ve coached them since their freshman year and hopefully they can carry us to a good season.”
MCCLAIN LADY TIGERS
Even after losing seven seniors from last season, the McClain Lady Tigers return a talented and experienced team for the 2009-10 season, bringing back four starters, along with a new crop of players looking to make their mark on the Lady Tiger program.
The Lady Tigers, who finished 19-6, made a tournament run that will not be soon forgotten in Greenfield, as they reached the Sweet 16 in the Division II SE District Regional tournament a year ago while on the way winning a sectional and district title.
“We lost a lot of experience from last year, especially on the practice floor,” McClain girls head coach Dennis Overstake said. “When you have that much experience on the practice floor, it is like practicing against a varsity team each night.
“The younger kids are coming in and getting their feet underneath them. We just have to wait and see how they react in game situations.”
Seniors this season for McClain are Savanna Brown, Shelby Buck, Cortney Hyer, Alex Taylor, Kate Hammond and Megan Saylor. Juniors include Frankie Wise, Megan Hogle and Chrissy Cobb. Sophomores this season are Sammy Rooks, Kate Crabtree and Jenna Perie.
“I expect our seniors to do the same thing as last year, and that is to do things correctly and to help the younger kids,” Overstake said. “Our seniors should teach them good fundamentals by what they are doing on the floor.”
The goals of MHS are the same as they always have been: to win the South Central Ohio League championship and to earn a good spot for a tournament run.
“We have to get better from game to game,” Overstake said. “Last year we gelled at the right time and made the tournament run. This summer the girls played extremely well. We have to continue to work harder in practice and the younger kids will keep improving, along with the older kids.”
The Lady Tigers return All-Ohio Special Mention Kate Hammond. Hammond, a senior, scored 222 points in the regular season during her junior campaign. She also gained a total of 96 boards in the 20-game regular season.
“In most games last year we didn’t have to depend on Kate to do all the scoring. We were versatile and could play kids at several different positions. We hope to do that again this year, but our younger kids have to adjust and will have to play more than one spot. They are learning the game at the varsity level is much faster and physical,” Overstake said. “A lot of the girls are looking to Kate as the go-to person, but we still need other options. Others will have to step up and play defense.”
One thing similar from last year is the Lady Tigers’ lack of size compared to most teams.
“We didn’t get any bigger, and that forces us to become more aggressive,” Overstake said. “We have to keep our opponents from getting second and third shots. We have speed at certain positions, but early in the season we have to see what our subs can do.”
One thing Overstake said he and his coaching staff, which is the same as last season, is stressing is defense.
“Our defense will be key in games,” he said. “But no matter how well we play defense, we still have to score points. Both go hand in hand. We have to play tough defense to create offensive production.”
HILLSBORO
LADY INDIANS
This season the Hillsboro Lady Indians look to keep up the improvement that began last year with HHS winning their first game in a span of two years, as head coach Herb Mihalik said his team has improved this offseason.
“We are more mature and more physical than we were last year,” he said. “We have a better understanding of the abilities of our players, and our players have a better understanding of the system.”
After finishing 2-18 last season, the Lady Indians enter this year with six seniors in Heather Storer, Holly Royce, Meagan Barnes, Julie Shafer, Shelby Coyle and Paij Shelton. Juniors are A.J. Sanders, Jenny Willey and sophomores Danielle Gilman, Morgan Price, Whitney Earley, Annemarie Stamper and Carey Juillerat.
Returning letter winners are Coyle, Barnes, Storer, Shelton, Sanders and Stamper.
“The skill level of many of the players have improved because of their work this offseason.” Mihalik said. “The girls are shooting the basketball a lot better, which is something we didn’t do well last year.”
Mihalik is also pleased with the aggressiveness his team has shown in the preseason.
“The girls were aggressive in the scrimmages against Williamsburg, Northeastern and Batavia,” he said. “We are just so much farther along at this time of the season than we were last year.”
The Lady Indians want to keep improving each and every game.
“Our goals are to work hard to put ourselves in positions to take advantage of opportunities when they become available, to build a program to compete and be successful against teams on our schedule. We want to understand the team concept and believe in each other.”
LYNCHBURG-CLAY
LADY MUSTANGS
Entering her 22nd season at the helm of the Lynchburg-Clay girls basketball program, coach Linda Hatten (337-137) will battle the odds from the start of the season as she has just seven full time varsity players, with three players in the program playing both JV and varsity.
Last year L-C finished 18-4 overall, second place in Division I of the SHL.
“We have to stay healthy,” Hatten said. “We don’t have the depth like we would want, but this team has amazing chemistry and unselfishness.”
Hatten then elaborated on the Lady Mustangs’ chemistry.
“This group enters the game as a team to win the game. They are team oriented and an awesome group to coach,” she said. “They work hard, play hard and that is most of the battle as a coach to begin with. Them playing together like they do, it really is a positive.”
The Lady Mustangs, who won a sectional championship and made the district semifinals last year, return four starters in seniors Cali Hatten and Lindsey Hawk; and juniors Hannah Blankenship and Lillian Blankenship. Junior Meredith Fittro and sophomore Brooke Hertlein saw time at the varsity level last season. Also on the team this season are: junior Lisa Rhonemus, sophomore Karen Hilt and freshmen Laney Lewis and Emma Setty.
“Having four returning players makes it easy because I don’t have to teach a lot of new things,” Hatten said.
Last season, Cali Hatten scored 284 points in the regular season, averaging 13 points per game. She gained 201 rebounds (9.2 rpg) and shot 43 percent from the field, with nine double-doubles. Cali Hatten, who has started since her freshman season, made the All-SHL team for the third straight year, and was named to the District 14 and AP All-District teams.
“Cali is a strong post player for us,” Linda Hatten said. “With two seniors, both Cali and Lindsey have learned from the girls before them, who have led by example. Now they are stepping into that role, as they both have played through the system and learned by example.
“This group is easily led as nobody is out for individual motives. They all know it takes all of them to win and that is what’s great.”
Hawk is a returning District 14 selection for L-C, and the new additions for the varsity squad might put L-C over the top this season.
“Laney and Brooke are forwards and that adds a different dimension to the team. Their talents are a lot different than what we’ve had,” Hatten said. “Lindsey (Hawk) will run the point. Lillian is second in command and a great defensive player.”
Hatten then stated defense is a point of emphasis this year.
“We know we must play defense and I hope it is a strong point for us,” Hatten said. “We also have to be very aggressive on rebounds, and I hope that is our No. 1 strong point by the end of the season.”
WHITEOAK
LADY WILDCATS
After finishing with two wins last season, the Whiteoak Lady Wildcats are looking to make massive improvements in hopes of climbing back into the top half of the Southern Hills League.
Seniors this season for the Lady ’Cats include Emily Hargett, Kristen Seip and Sarah Smith. Seip will be in the starting lineup for the fourth consecutive season when the season begins.
Juniors include: Hailey Bingamon, Liz Carson, Brittany Waits, Lori Bratton, Kari Fannin, Ashleigh Crone and Hailey Hamilton. Sophomores are Jessie Gilliland, Brooke Burns and Marisa Bohl. The lone freshman is Britini VanZant.
Returning starters are Hargett, Seip, Smith and Gilliland.
A year ago WHS finished 2-19 overall, giving head coach Steve Smith his first losing season as coach of Whiteoak. Entering his 14th campaign with the Lady ’Cats, Smith thinks the varsity experience gained last season will be a plus for his team this year.
“Last year we were very young, and we had very little varsity experience,” Smith said. “Last year gave us the varsity experience we needed and that will help us this season.”
Also their scrimmage against CE, Smith said he was pleased with how his team played against a program that had 25 girls.
“We played them five quarters and we beat them three times,” he said. “We played well. We want to play an up-tempo game, but we can also play a slower game when we need to.”
Smith sees that as an advantage for his team.
“We are going to mix it up,” he said. “We will use Emily in our slower game, as she is becoming a force inside, but we can also use her in our quicker game when needed. I want us to pressure teams, but it will be a big help with our change of pace. Teams will have to scout us for various looks when we have the ball on offense.”
The Lady ’Cats possess speed and have decent size, with Hargett and Burns each standing nearly 6-0.
“We have some nice height,” Smith said. “Besides Emily and Brooke, we have four or five other girls who are 5-8 to 5-9. Overall, we have as much size as we ever had.”
Even with a tough season a year ago, Smith stated in eight games they lost by less than seven points.
“We were in games, but we just didn’t finish,” Smith said. “The experience helped.”[[In-content Ad]]