2023-24 Lynchburg-Clay Lady Mustangs Basketball Preview

The time has come for another season of Lynchburg-Clay Lady Mustangs basketball, and they will have a team that will look to make their mark on Division I of the Southern Hills Athletic Conference, as they want to compete at a high level for the 2023-24 season.

Lynchburg-Clay is coming off a season where they finished 15-9 overall and 7-6 in the SHAC, fourth place in Division I of the conference. Last season, LCHS averaged 56.7 points per game.

On the team this season are four seniors, one junior, three sophomores and one freshman as they are coached by Whitney Lewis, who enters her 13th year as LCHS head coach.

Seniors for LCHS are Ella Barry, Macy Etienne, Jade Massey and Addison West.

Massey is coming off a season where she was a Division III All-Ohio honorable mention selection, second-team Coaches and OPSWA All-District and an All-SHAC selection. During her junior season, Massey totaled 294 points (12.3 ppg), 164 rebounds (6.8 rpg), 83 assists (3.5 apg), 16 blocks and 74 steals (3.1 spg).

West last season was All-SHAC, OPSWA All-District second team, Coaches All-District honorable mention and All-Ohio honorable mention. During her junior season, West totaled 321 points (13.4 ppg), 100 rebounds (4.2 rpg), 50 assists (2.1 apg), 12 blocks and 46 steals (1.9 spg).

Etienne scored 288 points (12.0 ppg) her junior season, and she also collected 70 rebounds (2.9 rpg), 68 assists (2.8 apg), four blocks and 42 steals (1.8 spg). Her junior season also saw her be selected OPSWA All-District third team, and two seasons ago as a sophomore she was an All-Ohio honorable mention selection.

Barry last season scored 93 points (3.9 ppg) and totaled 113 rebounds (4.7 rpg).

The lone junior is Allie Waits, and the three sophomores are Noel Barnhill, Joslyn Rockey and Avery Shope. The lone freshman is Madison McMullen.

“Our four seniors are all returning starters and significant contributors from last year's team,” Lewis said. “I think our seniors are eager and hungry to step into their roles from last year and make some noise. All four of them will play a vital role in our success.

“Jade Massey, Addison West, Macy Etienne and Ella Barry are all players that will stand out for us this year, even more so than they have in the past.”

The offseason for the Lady Mustangs has seen the team take part in scrimmages, which has helped their overall progress of improvement.

“Our offseason has gone really well. We have had some great scrimmages against solid teams to help us prepare for our tough non-conference schedule as well as league play,” Lewis said. “Every night will be a battle, and I am happy with our progress and work in practices this offseason.

“Our seniors really help make things flow for us. They have each been in the program for four years and have a ton of varsity experience under their belt. It’s a huge asset for us to have these four, and not just their experience, but their knowledge of the game.

“This group, both upperclassmen and underclassmen, work hard. They play hard all the time, and that alone is going to help keep us competitive in games this year.”

There is always the goal of being the best in a conference, and besides that the Lady Mustangs know to get to that goal, it won’t be easy. Showing improvement each game is the goal, within the larger goal of having overall team success.

“As the season approaches and we begin, a huge goal is always improving every game. It’s always a challenge in the beginning of the season to ensure that everyone is on the same page with a shorter preseason than most schools,” Lewis said. “We want to make sure we are effective on the boards and take care of the ball every game, and that will be a goal for us as we work through the season.

“We expect to come out and compete at our highest level each and every game. Competing in this league is a battle every single night and a challenge we are looking forward to.”

Playing in Division I of the SHAC will be a little different this season for LCHS as Peebles jumps back into the division, and Fairfield moves back to Division II, as LCHS will now play North Adams, Peebles, West Union and Eastern twice this season.

“The SHAC is always a tough league to play in. We take pride in playing in a league that helps prepare for tournament season play,” Lewis said. “As with every year, we hope to be in the mix at the top competing for the league title. We understand the level of play and commitment that will take and are excited to make a run at it.”

LCHS has a non-conference schedule which will make them more prepared for the tournament season too, including games against Portsmouth West (at Manchester Girls Shootout), at Unioto, vs. Hillsboro, at Paint Valley, at Western Brown, at South Webster, vs. McClain and vs. Clinton-Massie.

“We have several tough opponents with our non-conference schedule. These are essential to prepare for our league play and postseason games as well,” Lewis said. “I think our non-league games will test and push us to see what we are really capable of and allow us to play at a high level all season long.”

Assistant coaches for LCHS are Bernie Cropper and Amanda Willard.

LCHS opens the 2023-24 season on Saturday, Nov. 25 against Portsmouth West in the Manchester Girls Shootout.