11-17-2012, 12:49 AM
COLLINS
Coach: Phillip Conder (third year).
Last Season: 22-11, lost to Walton-Verona 51-42 in the first round of Eighth Region Tournament.
Player to watch: F Aaliyah Wells. The 5-foot-9 senior does it all for the Titans, averaging 16 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and five steals last season. A contender for regional Player of the Year honors, she is a three-year starter.
Other top players: G Skylar Clemens (Jr., 4 ppg); G Bailey Rankin (Sr., 3 ppg); C Jessie Buckmaster (Sr., 2 ppg); F Whitney Pullen (Fr.); PG Michelle Roberts (Fr.).
Outlook: With a dynamic player like Wells, the Titans should contend for the regional crown in what may be the toughest district (it includes Anderson County and Shelby County). Coach Phillip Conder said the team's biggest need is to find a consistent second scorer to take some of the load off Wells. Clemens and Rankin have experience in the backcourt and are keys to Collins' pressure defense.
NORTH OLDHAM
Coach: Dan Pfaff (second year)
Last Season: 8-17, lost to South Oldham 78-43 in the first round of 29th District Tournament.
Player to watch: PG Morgan Spaulding. A junior who has been an off-and-on starter since her freshman season, Spaulding will play a key role for the Lady Mustangs after emerging as a team leader last season. A solid athlete, she has improved her offensive skills to go along with already strong perimeter defense and ball-handling.
Other top players: G/F Emily Morsman (Jr.); C Brianna Salinas (Jr.); C/F Taylor Moore (Sr.).
Outlook: The Lady Mustangs think they can make a run for a regional berth with four solid players back. Spaulding has experience running the point and will be joined by junior swingman Emily Morsman, who has been on the varsity since eighth grade. Inside, senior Taylor Moore and junior Brianna Salinas return.
OLDHAM COUNTY
Coach: Jace Bryant (first year).
Last Season: 10-19, lost to Owen County 51-34 in the first round of Eighth Region Tournament.
Player to watch: G Ashley McMurtrey. The 5-9 junior guard averaged 20 points last season for the Lady Colonels in her second year as a starter. Adept at driving to the basket, she has improved her outside shot to add a new dimension to her game.
Other top players: G Jessica Leanhart (Sr., 10 ppg); F Rebecca Wishnevski (Sr., 5 ppg); G Rebecca Heite (Sr., 4 ppg), F Sarah Lopesilvero (Sr., 4 ppg).
Outlook: The Lady Colonels have a new coach in Jace Bryant, who previously coached in Tennessee, and will look to McMurtrey and the 5-7 Leanhart to carry the scoring load early. Oldham will need 6-0 varsity newcomers Jenna Kirk and Abigail Stewart to add a presence inside if they want to improve on last season's record.
SHELBY COUNTY
Coach: Mike Sowers (third year).
Last season: 16-9, lost to Anderson County 41-18 in the first round of 30th District Tournament.
Player to watch: F/C McKenzie Raizor. The 6-1 sophomore helps lead one of the region's most talented young frontcourts. She averaged 10 points and eight rebounds last season.
Other top players: F/C Justus Martin (Fr., 9.8 ppg); F/C Savannah Raizor (So., 5.4 ppg); F Nikki Simmons (Jr.); F Kara Wiley (So.); Katie Hudgens (So., 5.1 ppg).
Outlook: The Lady Rockets were one of the most improved teams in the region last season, and with the 6-1 Raizor sisters and 6-0 Justus Martin the have an imposing front line, backed by a pair of 5-10 forwards in Nikki Simmons and Kara Wiley. Coach Mike Sowers said finding dependable guard play and ball-handling will be crucial against a much tougher schedule this season. Returning guard Katie Hudgens is back to help there.
SOUTH OLDHAM
Coach: Christy Higdon (first year).
Last season: 27-5, lost to Walton-Verona 52-47 in the Eighth Region Tournament final.
Player to watch: F Emma Sedoris will be counted on early by the Lady Dragons, who lost seven seniors from last season's team. The 6-0 junior started in the post last season and averaged five points and four rebounds.
Other top players: F Kenzie Beaudrie (Sr., 2.7 ppg); G Corrine Sandford (4.3 ppg); G Kayla Mullins (Sr., 1.2 ppg).
Outlook: South probably suffered more graduation losses than any other team in the region, most notably guard and Kentucky All-Star Jasmine Whitfield, now at Cincinnati, and forward Mary Dye, now at Bellarmine.
Higdon replaces veteran Frank Wright, who moved to Ballard, and likes her team's depth if several younger players can adapt to the varsity game.
SPENCER COUNTY
Coach: David Marion (first year).
Last season: 7-21, lost to Anderson County 62-19 in the first round of 30th District Tournament.
Player to watch: F Mackenzie Myers. The 5-9 junior averaged 12 points and nine rebounds last season and is working her way back from an offseason leg injury. She gives the Lady Bears a solid inside player to build around.
Other top players: G McKenna Pfeiffer (Sr., 10.8 ppg); G MacKenzie Keown (Sr., 5.8 ppg); G/F Krysten Barlow (Jr., 4.3 ppg).
Outlook: With several key players back, the Lady Bears are optimistic about improving on last season's record. Marion has two solid inside players in Myers and 5-9 Krysten Barlow and a pair of solid guards in Keown and Pfeiffer.
http://www.usatodayhss.com/louisville/ar...2311160135
Coach: Phillip Conder (third year).
Last Season: 22-11, lost to Walton-Verona 51-42 in the first round of Eighth Region Tournament.
Player to watch: F Aaliyah Wells. The 5-foot-9 senior does it all for the Titans, averaging 16 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and five steals last season. A contender for regional Player of the Year honors, she is a three-year starter.
Other top players: G Skylar Clemens (Jr., 4 ppg); G Bailey Rankin (Sr., 3 ppg); C Jessie Buckmaster (Sr., 2 ppg); F Whitney Pullen (Fr.); PG Michelle Roberts (Fr.).
Outlook: With a dynamic player like Wells, the Titans should contend for the regional crown in what may be the toughest district (it includes Anderson County and Shelby County). Coach Phillip Conder said the team's biggest need is to find a consistent second scorer to take some of the load off Wells. Clemens and Rankin have experience in the backcourt and are keys to Collins' pressure defense.
NORTH OLDHAM
Coach: Dan Pfaff (second year)
Last Season: 8-17, lost to South Oldham 78-43 in the first round of 29th District Tournament.
Player to watch: PG Morgan Spaulding. A junior who has been an off-and-on starter since her freshman season, Spaulding will play a key role for the Lady Mustangs after emerging as a team leader last season. A solid athlete, she has improved her offensive skills to go along with already strong perimeter defense and ball-handling.
Other top players: G/F Emily Morsman (Jr.); C Brianna Salinas (Jr.); C/F Taylor Moore (Sr.).
Outlook: The Lady Mustangs think they can make a run for a regional berth with four solid players back. Spaulding has experience running the point and will be joined by junior swingman Emily Morsman, who has been on the varsity since eighth grade. Inside, senior Taylor Moore and junior Brianna Salinas return.
OLDHAM COUNTY
Coach: Jace Bryant (first year).
Last Season: 10-19, lost to Owen County 51-34 in the first round of Eighth Region Tournament.
Player to watch: G Ashley McMurtrey. The 5-9 junior guard averaged 20 points last season for the Lady Colonels in her second year as a starter. Adept at driving to the basket, she has improved her outside shot to add a new dimension to her game.
Other top players: G Jessica Leanhart (Sr., 10 ppg); F Rebecca Wishnevski (Sr., 5 ppg); G Rebecca Heite (Sr., 4 ppg), F Sarah Lopesilvero (Sr., 4 ppg).
Outlook: The Lady Colonels have a new coach in Jace Bryant, who previously coached in Tennessee, and will look to McMurtrey and the 5-7 Leanhart to carry the scoring load early. Oldham will need 6-0 varsity newcomers Jenna Kirk and Abigail Stewart to add a presence inside if they want to improve on last season's record.
SHELBY COUNTY
Coach: Mike Sowers (third year).
Last season: 16-9, lost to Anderson County 41-18 in the first round of 30th District Tournament.
Player to watch: F/C McKenzie Raizor. The 6-1 sophomore helps lead one of the region's most talented young frontcourts. She averaged 10 points and eight rebounds last season.
Other top players: F/C Justus Martin (Fr., 9.8 ppg); F/C Savannah Raizor (So., 5.4 ppg); F Nikki Simmons (Jr.); F Kara Wiley (So.); Katie Hudgens (So., 5.1 ppg).
Outlook: The Lady Rockets were one of the most improved teams in the region last season, and with the 6-1 Raizor sisters and 6-0 Justus Martin the have an imposing front line, backed by a pair of 5-10 forwards in Nikki Simmons and Kara Wiley. Coach Mike Sowers said finding dependable guard play and ball-handling will be crucial against a much tougher schedule this season. Returning guard Katie Hudgens is back to help there.
SOUTH OLDHAM
Coach: Christy Higdon (first year).
Last season: 27-5, lost to Walton-Verona 52-47 in the Eighth Region Tournament final.
Player to watch: F Emma Sedoris will be counted on early by the Lady Dragons, who lost seven seniors from last season's team. The 6-0 junior started in the post last season and averaged five points and four rebounds.
Other top players: F Kenzie Beaudrie (Sr., 2.7 ppg); G Corrine Sandford (4.3 ppg); G Kayla Mullins (Sr., 1.2 ppg).
Outlook: South probably suffered more graduation losses than any other team in the region, most notably guard and Kentucky All-Star Jasmine Whitfield, now at Cincinnati, and forward Mary Dye, now at Bellarmine.
Higdon replaces veteran Frank Wright, who moved to Ballard, and likes her team's depth if several younger players can adapt to the varsity game.
SPENCER COUNTY
Coach: David Marion (first year).
Last season: 7-21, lost to Anderson County 62-19 in the first round of 30th District Tournament.
Player to watch: F Mackenzie Myers. The 5-9 junior averaged 12 points and nine rebounds last season and is working her way back from an offseason leg injury. She gives the Lady Bears a solid inside player to build around.
Other top players: G McKenna Pfeiffer (Sr., 10.8 ppg); G MacKenzie Keown (Sr., 5.8 ppg); G/F Krysten Barlow (Jr., 4.3 ppg).
Outlook: With several key players back, the Lady Bears are optimistic about improving on last season's record. Marion has two solid inside players in Myers and 5-9 Krysten Barlow and a pair of solid guards in Keown and Pfeiffer.
http://www.usatodayhss.com/louisville/ar...2311160135