Friday, Nov. 28, 2008

Girls team-by-team basketball previews

AIRPORT

COACH: Trey Wallace

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 10-10, 7-3

KEY RETURNERS: Taniqua Canzater

OUTLOOK: With only the junior center returning among starters, inexperience will be an issue for the Eagles. They will need Jessica Ellison and Shardane Harris to come along at the guard position and Julissa Muldrow to develop in the post if they are to improve on last season’s first-round playoff finish.

BEN LIPPEN

COACH: Cindy Cummings

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 12-17, 4-6

KEY RETURNERS: Elizabeth Hodges, Mani Keita

OUTLOOK: The Falcons this year have seven new players, some with experience from AAU ball, and will count on Hodges and Keita for ball-handling and scoring as they work to jell as a team. Sophomore guard Malissa Mangum should provide defensive muscle and Anna Beth Cook adds skill in the post if she can make the adjustment from junior varsity.

BLYTHEWOOD

COACH: Steve Inabinet

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 25-2, 13-1

KEY RETURNERS: Ashleigh Edwards

OUTLOOK: It could be a tough year for the Bengals, who finished first in their region in 2007-08. Edwards, who accounted for 18 points per game, is the only returning starter. The Bengals will have to compensate for the loss of Keisha Henderson, Whitney Hopkins and Michel’le Goodman, who combined for 48 points per game. Edwards this year leads a young, inexperienced group in a new region. She will get help from seniors Alexis Allen and Kyairra Gadsden.

C.A. JOHNSON

COACH: Melvina Pierce

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 1-15, 1-8

KEY RETURNERS: Jamie Corbitt, Whitney Green

OUTLOOK: The Hornets are an inexperienced but determined squad, and should see their results improve with the move to Class A.

CARDINAL NEWMAN

COACH: Wanda Bailey

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 14-15, 5-5

KEY RETURNERS: Molly Rainwater, Tori August, Beth Eckstein, Alex August

OUTLOOK: Bailey hopes strength, speed and transition offense will lift the Cardinals ahead of region rivals Hammond and Heathwood Hall. With four starters back, the squad will almost certainly contend for the region title.

DUTCH FORK

COACH: Faye Norris

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: N/A

KEY RETURNERS: Devin Pearson, Erin Houston

OUTLOOK: The Silver Foxes have a new coach and two new options for height at center, Shyiane Oakman and Alaina Coates, both 6-foot-4. They also benefit from experienced leadership in Pearson and Houston, both of whom are perimeter shooting threats. But losing Chelsey Peterson’s impact inside may hurt.

EAU CLAIRE

COACH: Precious Caldwell

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 18-6, 9-5

KEY RETURNERS: Breonda Shannon, Janae Stevenson, Sabrina Johnson, Amelia Carrie

OUTLOOK: A crew of familiar faces on the court should help the Shamrocks dominate their new league (Class 2A). Their four returning starters accounted for an average of 46 points per game in 2007, when the team fell short in a tight region race, finishing third. That’s not likely this year.

HEATHWOOD HALL

COACH: Jack Warren

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 30-4, 9-1

KEY RETURNERS: Arayael Brandner, Kristen Dickerson, Carter Warren, T’Keya Worthy

OUTLOOK: The Highlanders still have much of the size and experience that made them Region 2-3A champions and SCISA state runner-ups in 2007-08. Four returning starters averaged 32 points and 16 rebounds last season. Heathwood will be challenged to replace the ball-handling and scoring capabilities of guard Asia Dozier (21 points) who transferred to Spring Valley.

IRMO

COACH: Monica Williams

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 21-4, 10-0

KEY RETURNERS: Brooke McCants, Sarah Green, Ta’Rea Yates

OUTLOOK: With six experienced players returning from a squad that dominated its region in 2007, the Yellow Jackets look to continue improving. Williams said the team lacks depth, so playing four even quarters will be a challenge. But that will be the key to a playoff run. Last year, the Yellow Jackets held their own against state runner-up Dorman in the second round, but gave out in the final minutes.

LEXINGTON

COACH: David Long

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 18-6, 7-3

KEY RETURNERS: Molly VanWyk, Alli Edens

OUTLOOK: The Wildcats look solid on defense though they lack experience. Just two starters are back from a team that finished second in its region last season. Without Santana Byrd, Lexington lacks depth at the guard position, but sophomore Jasmine Pinckney should help. She averaged 4.5 points last year. Edens can also switch to guard from her position on the wing.

LOWER RICHLAND

COACH: Debbie Stroman

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 26-0, 8-0

KEY RETURNERS: Morgan Stroman, Dayshawn Richbow, Stephanie Hayes, Jasmine Harrison

OUTLOOK: Three senior starters return for the Diamond Hornets after winning their third consecutive state title. The prognosis is bright for the squad, with added weapons in guard Stephanie Wilson and forward Lauren Jones. The squad’s shooting and defense should make it the class of its new Class 3A league.

RIDGE VIEW

COACH: Terence Gibson

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 8-14, 3-5

KEY RETURNERS: Breighe Martin, Maya Adams, Akaycia Fulmore, Destiny White

OUTLOOK: Team speed and defense are the Blazers’ strengths as they look to improve on last season’s second-round playoff finish. With the exception of 6-foot center Brittany Hollin, the squad lacks height, and will rely heavily on its guards on both ends of the court.

SPRING VALLEY

COACH: Anne Long

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 11-14, 2-6

KEY RETURNERS: N/A

OUTLOOK: The Vikings have got a brand new bag this season. New coach Anne Long brings experience — and a new system — to revive an underachieving program. Freshman transfer Asia Dozier brings much-anticipated new energy to the Vikings at the guard position, and the Vikings will look for impact in the post from Savonia Bryan and Xylina McDaniel.

W.J. KEENAN

COACH: Reggie McLain

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 25-5, 8-0

KEY RETURNERS: Brittani Goodwin, Myosha Henicks

OUTLOOK: The defending Class 2A champions return speed and shooting, with guards Goodwin and Henicks combining for an average of 19 points last season. Forward Kierra Tillery and center Keosha Scott will have to compensate for the loss of all-area player of the year Santera Grooms inside. Adding to the Raiders’ challenge, their new region includes Eau Claire and state runner-up Lee Central.

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