[Stardust]

MANUAL

Coach: Stacy Pendleton (eighth year).


Last season: 33-5, lost to Rockcastle County 62-60 in overtime in Sweet 16 final.


Player to watch: Senior April Wilson, a 5-7 guard, is a top candidate for Miss Basketball. The Purdue signee missed last season’s Sweet 16 with a broken hand but is healthy now and expected to improve on the numbers from her junior year (6.9 ppg, 4.5 apg, 4.1 spg).


Other top players: G Kara Wright (5-10, Sr., 9.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg); G LeAsia Wright (5-7, Sr., 9.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.1 apg); G Lauren Bodine (5-7, Sr., 4.4 ppg); F Kayla Styles (6-1, Jr., 4.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg); G Destony Curry (5-7, Jr., 5.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg); G Morgan Allen (5-7, Jr., 3.8 ppg).


Outlook: Seventh Region Player of the Year Mechael Guess has moved on to the University of Pittsburgh, but there’s plenty of talent back from the Sweet 16 runner-up. It starts with Wilson, one of three seniors who have signed with NCAA Division I schools, joining Kara Wright (Southeast Missouri State) and Bodine (Maine). The wild card is Styles, who has the frame and athleticism to emerge as one of the state’s best players. Pendleton believes this is the most talented team he’s had at Manual.