Area hoops teams ready for tip off (Girls)

While a few lucky fans still get to follow their schools on the gridiron for a few more weeks, most area prep sports followers have already turned their thoughts indoors.

The high school basketball season tips off tonight for many programs. Here’s a quick look at what many of the teams around north Georgia have in store...

GIRLS OUTLOOK (boys are in a separate story: )

-- BANKS COUNTY LADY LEOPARDS
Coach: Jerry King
2008-09 record: 11-15
Key players: SG Madison Franklin, So.; SG Deasha Beasley, 5-6 So.; PG Ashley Morris, 5-6 So.; C Katlyn Parks, 5-7 So.
Region: 8-AA
Keys to season: The Lady Leopards will rely on juniors and sophomores for leadership this season -- as there are no seniors on the team. Yet Banks County hopes it will still be competitive in Region 8-AA this season.


-- BUFORD LADY WOLVES
Coach: Gene Durden
2008-09 record: 32-1; Region 6-AA champs, Class AA champions
Key players: PG Andraya Carter, 5-8 So. (10 points per game, 7 assists per game); F Alysha Rudnik, 5-9 Sr.
Region: 6-AA
Keys to season: After graduating a eight seniors from last season's all-conquering state championship squad, you'd think the Lady Wolves might be in a rebuilding mode. But Carter is a Division I recruit and Rudnik is a Division I athlete (signed with Georgia Tech to play softball), so Buford should still be in the thick of things in Region 6-AA. The Lady Wolves do face a killer schedule, including games against Gainesville, Wesleyan, GAC and East Hall, so they should be prepared by the time region play tips off. Buford will continue to run its smothering, full-court defense and lightning fast offense.


-- CHESTATEE LADY WAR EAGLES
Coach: Web Daniel
2008-09 record: 17-12, Class AAA Sweet 16 appearance
Key players: F Peyton Robertson, 6-2 Jr. (16 ppg, 8 rebounds per game); SF Chelsea Wilson, 5-9 Sr. (10 ppg, made 65 3-pointers last year); F Rachel Kelley, 5-10 Jr. (5 ppg, 4 rpg); SG Shelby Bright, 5-7 Sr. (Made more than 40 3-pointers last year).
Region: 7A-AAA
Keys to season: After reaching the Class AAA second round as a fourth seed, the Lady War Eagles feel like they can take it a step further this season. Chestatee certainly has the perimeter players to take down any opponent, as Wilson and Bright are both sharp-shooters. Robertson is also a force inside, but the Lady War Eagles must get more consistent if they want to improve on their fourth place finish in Region 7-AAA last season.


-- COMMERCE LADY TIGERS
Coach: Eddie McCurley
2008-09 record: 6-17
Key players: SG Jessie Flint, 5-9 Sr.; SG Jaz Grier, 5-11 Jr.; SF Brittney Beauchamp, 5-9 Sr.
Region: 8-A
Keys to season: Commerce lost two starters but return leading scorers Flint and Grier. The Lady Tigers will be young, however, and could face some early growing pains.


-- CREEKVIEW LADY GRIZZLIES
Coach: Roger Nolan
2008-09 Record: 18-8
Key players: PF Danielle Tidwell, Sr; G Katelyn Thomas, Sr.; G Jerrah Baker, Sr.
Region: 7A-AAA
Keys to season: After playing well for much of the season, and being ranked as high as ninth in Class AAA, the Lady Grizzlies fell short of making the playoffs. Creekview hopes to right that this season by playing a much tougher non-region schedule to toughen it up before the slug-fest that is 7-AAA.


-- DAWSON COUNTY LADY TIGERS
Coach: Steve Sweat
2008-09 record: 4-19
Key players: SF Jessi Phillips, 5-7 Jr. (8.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg); PG Morgan Bennett, 5-6 Jr. (7 ppg, 1.8 rpg)
Region: 8-AA
Keys to season: The Lady Tigers have added depth and hope that last year’s tough season will give them a platform for improvement.


-- EAST HALL LADY VIKINGS
Coach: Joey Rider
2008-09 record: 22-8; Region 7-AAA runner-up, Class AAA Sweet 16
Key players: G Dorreka Faulkner, 5-6 Sr. (has led team in steals for two years); PG Jasmine Jenkins, 5-8 So. (10 ppg, 2.4 apg, 2 spg); G/F Morgan Jackson, 5-11 So. (second-leading rebounder and third-leading scorer on team as a freshman).
Region 7B-AAA
Keys to season: After playing a lot of young, talented underclassmen last season, the Lady Vikings will be primed to improve on last year’s impressive showing. Yet East Hall will also have to find some size after graduating three of its four post players from last season. Jenkins and Jackson were two of the more impressive players in 7-AAA as freshmen and should be even better this season.


-- FLOWERY BRANCH LADY FALCONS
Coach: Hazel Hall
2008-09 record: 11-15
Key players: G Jessica Harper, 5-6 Sr. (13 ppg, 5 rpg, 3 assists per game, 2.5 steals per game); G Cash Champion, 5-7 Sr. (7 ppg, 4 rpg.)
Region: 7B-AAA
Keys to season: Flowery Branch grew up throughout last season and showed real improvement as the campaign came to a close. The Lady Falcons hope to continue that growth this season, as coach Hall embarks on her second campaign in charge. Flowery Branch doesn’t have a lot of size, but the Lady Falcons will fight hard inside and push the ball up and down the floor. While it still must rely on the contributions of underclassmen, Flowery Branch is hopeful it can get into the thick of 7B-AAA race.


-- GAINESVILLE LADY RED ELEPHANTS
Coach: Manson Hill
2008-09 record: 18-10; Lanierland champions, Region 7-AAA champions
Key players: F Jaymee Carnes, 6-1 Sr. (16 ppg, 8 rpg, 2.1 blocks per game); PG Loren Thomas, 5-6 Sr.; SG Mikalyn DeFoor, 5-8 Jr. (7.5 ppg); P Rebecca Webster, So.
Region: 7B-AAA
Keys to season: Carnes is one of the area’s top players and is headed to Wake Forest after her final season, while Thomas, DeFoor and Webster make up a solid returning class for a program that is always in the running for region titles and state tournament play. Gainesville has reached 13 straight state tournaments – the third-longest such streak in the state. This year’s schedule is one of the most difficult in any classification, including defending Class AAA champ Carrollton, Class AA champ Buford, and two of the top programs in the state of Tennessee, not to mention the typically-tough 7-AAA schedule.


-- GILMER LADY BOBCATS
Coach: Herb Horton
2008-09 Record: 23-6; third in Region 7-AAA
Key players: W Megan Strawbridge, Sr.; P Holli Gibbs, Sr.; PG Kristen Price, Sr.
Region: 7A-AAA
Keys to season: After reaching the state playoffs for the second year in a row, the Lady Bobcats hope to pick up a third straight postseason berth. It could be tough early for Gilmer, which graduated standouts Sarah Jones and last season’s leading scorer Kylie Smith. But coach Horton says his team is united and ready for the challenge.


-- JACKSON COUNTY LADY PANTHERS
Coach: Chad Pittman
2008-09 record: 11-14
Key players: F Breanna Drew, 5-9 Jr. (12 ppg, 5.8 rpg); G Ashley Skelton, 5-8 Jr. (12.4 ppg, 3 apg, 2 spg); PG Emily Elrod, 5-5 Jr.
Region: 8-AAA
Keys to season: The Lady Panthers have been hurt by the loss of senior Jessica Stevens, who tore her ACL, but Jackson County does feature several returning starters.


-- HABERSHAM CENTRAL LADY RAIDERS
Coach: John Hood
2008-09 record: 9-13
Key players: PG Lauren Cunningham, 5-4 Sr.; SG Chelsea Smith, 5-11 Sr.; PF Chloe McAllister, 5-8 Sr.
Region: 8-AAAA
Keys to season: With seven seniors on the squad, the Lady Raiders feel they will be much improved over over last season.


-- JEFFERSON LADY DRAGONS
Coach: Jason Gibson
2008-09 record: 11-13
Key players: PG Erin Knight, Sr. (8 ppg, 4 apg); SF Stephanie Fincher, Sr. (8 ppg, 4 rpg).
Region: 8-AA
Keys to season: This season’s Lady Dragons team will be small and athletic, and they will lack size inside. Yet Jefferson feels it has the shooting ability to overcome these issues.


-- JOHNSON LADY KNIGHTS
Coach: Kory Bays
2008-09 record: 0-22
Key players: PG Haley Chapman, 5-6 Sr.; SG Mary Fiorentino, 5-6 Sr.; SG Shelley Farley, 5-5 Sr.
Region: 7B-AAA
Keys to season: The Lady Knights labored through a tough season last year, but things are looking up in Oakwood according to new head coach Kory Bays. Johnson does feature three seniors this season and several players who earned floor time last campaign.


-- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY LADY LIONS
Coach: Buster Brown
2008-09 record: 17-8; Class A playoffs
Key players: F Megan Rochester, 5-8 Sr. (leading rebounder in 2008); G Maddie Haymore, 5-6 Sr. (leading scorer in 2008); PG Louisa Jacobs, 5-8 Sr. (9.4 ppg, 5.3 apg, 2.7 spg).
Region: 8-A
Keys to season: Getting a seventh straight trip to the state playoffs could be tough to come by this season if the Lady Lions can’t get healthy. Already hurt by a small player pool, Lakeview is down to six girls who are able to practice according to Brown. The returning group is experienced and versatile. And while there isn’t a huge inside presence, Lakeview showed it was athletic and tenacious enough to overcome those problems last season.


-- LUMPKIN COUNTY LADY INDIANS
Coach: Greg Murray
2008-09 record: 4-20
Key players: PG Cara Malone, 5-2 Sr.; SF Kelsie Smith, 5-7 Sr.; SF Jessi Cantrell, 5-8 Sr.
Region: 7A-AAA
Keys to season: The Lady Indians did graduate the school’s all-time leading scorer in Ashley Brown, though Cara Malone was second on the squad in points scored. Coach Murray says his players are hungry and ready to accept the challenge.


-- NORTH GWINNETT LADY BULLDOGS
Coach: Tony Watkins
2008-09 record: 16-10; Class AAAAA playoffs
Key players: W Stephanie Wheeler, Sr. (10 ppg); P Annie Wheeler, Jr. (10 ppg); P Abby Slocumb, Sr. (8 ppg, 8 rpg)
Region: 7-AAAAA
Keys to season: After finishing fourth in the ultra-competitive Region 7-AAAAA, the Lady Bulldogs hope to repeat their state tournament appearance. Yet Watkins wanrs that, with Norcross, Mill Creek, Chattahoochee and Collins Hill on the schedule, that will be easier said than done.


-- NORTH HALL LADY TROJANS
Coach: Bryan Richerson
2008-09 record: 10-16
Key players: SG Taylor Bishop, 5-7 Sr.; PF Shakeyla Rucker, 5-11 Jr.; SF McKenna Rushton, 5-8 So.; SG Mary Kate Rushton, 5-7 So.; PG Taylor Swoszowski, 5-5 So.
Region: 7A-AAA
Keys to season: A young Lady Trojans squad improved throughout last year and also featured some exciting young talent, such as Rushton. After making it through the campaign, coach Richerson says his program knows more what to expect this season and another year of experience will be a big help. North Hall will play an up tempo game and look to improve on defense, rebounding, and protecting the basketball.


-- PICKENS DRAGONETTES
Coach: Kevin Jacobs
2008-09 Record: 16-11
Key players: SG Jazmine Goss, 5-9 Jr. (11.2 ppg); PF Jamie Waterman, 6-1 Jr. (7.3 ppg); PF Lindsey Hammontree, 6-0 Sr. (8.2 ppg)
Region: 7A-AAA
Keys to season: After graduating leading scorer Lindsey Logan to Piedmont College, the ‘Nettes are looking for three returning starters – Goss, Waterman and Hammontree – to raise their games. Pickens does return eight players who saw action last season, and coach Kevin Jacobs says they will be much more athletic this year. The ‘Nettes will try and push the ball on offensive at every opportunity, while pressuring the ball on defense. Pickens will play between nine and 11 players in every game to wear down opponents.


-- TOWNS COUNTY LADY INDIANS
Coach: Jim Melton
2008-09 record: 25-6 Region 8-A Champions, Class A finals
Key players: PF Melissa Conrad, 5-11 Sr.; SG Keri Abernathy, 5-6 Sr.; SF Jordan Moss, 5-9 Jr; PG Gabby Arencibia, 5-10 So.; SF Ali Bleckley, 5-11 So.
Region: 8-A
Keys to season: The Lady Indians graduated three seniors from last season but expect to be competitive again in Region 8-A.


-- WHITE COUNTY LADY WARRIORS
Coach: Jodie Watkins
2008-09 record: 3-22
Key players: PG Ashley Smith, 5-5 Jr.; PG Callie DeLoach, 5-5 Jr.; SF Jayme Lea Whitfield, 5-8 So.
Region: 7A-AAA
Keys to season: The Lady Warriors continue to grow their program and hope that they will build on last season as they move forward. There still aren’t many major contributors as upperclassmen yet.


-- WEST HALL LADY SPARTANS
Coach: Lynn Jarrett
2008-09 record: 10-16
Key players: PG Emily Hammond, 5-4 Sr.; F Bailey Soucie, 5-8 Sr.; F Amber Johnson, 5-9 Jr.
Region: 7B-AAA
Keys to season: While the graduation of star player Jayla Moon will certainly hurt, the Lady Spartans will look to overcome it with a faster pace and more pressure on defense. Hammond and Soucie were dependable last season, and Johnson came on strong throughout the campaign.

Link: For the boys preview, click here...