By Richard Greene | Published Sunday, October 25, 2009
The days are getting shorter and the temperature outside is falling, meaning it's time for the eight Wise County girls varsity basketball teams to tip off the season.
The eight schools began after-school practices Wednesday, the first day allowed by the University Interscholastic League. The teams will begin scrimmages Oct. 31. Schools can play their first game Nov. 9.
A majority of Wise County teams will be welcoming new faces to the floor in hopes of building teams ready to battle for playoff spots in January and February. Here's a quick look at the area teams as they begin the year:
Bridgeport Sissies 2009 record: 32-2
Class 3A Region I semifinalists
The Sissies and Coach Eddie Fortenberry will be trying to follow up the best season in school history. The Sissies rolled to a District 5-3A crown before their season ended with an overtime loss to Lubbock Cooper in the regional semifinal.
Bridgeport will try to repeat that effort with just one starter back - post Haley Meekins. The Sissies lost nearly 26 points per game with the graduation of Kaitlyn Waynen and Shannon Demmitt. The Sissies also graduated two other starters.
"It'll be interesting after having that type of season and losing that many players," Fortenberry said.
He will look to build around Meekins, who averaged nine points, seven rebounds and two steals last season. She scored 24 points in the loss to Lubbock Cooper.
"She's a good one to have back," Fortenberry said.
The Bridgeport coach said it will take some time to figure out how all the pieces on his team fit together. He expects his team to push the tempo again.
"We want to get up and down the floor," Fortenberry said.
The Sissies will scrimmage Muenster and Little Elm Oct. 31. Bridgeport will open the regular season Nov. 10 against Denton Guyer.
Decatur Lady Eagles 2009 record: 16-13
Class 3A Region I quarterfinalists
Coach Billy Garner and the Lady Eagles started to peak at the right time last year, battling their way to the third round of the playoffs before falling to rival Bridgeport in the region quarterfinals.
The Lady Eagles will be young this year with one senior, Mercy Staley. The rest of the team will be juniors.
"We're a little inexperienced," Garner said. "By the time district gets here, we hope to toughen up and be ready."
The Lady Eagles will be trying to replace the scoring of Candace Clayton and Kelsey Hayes, who combined to average more than 20 points per game. Garner is looking for Staley to fill part of the void.
"She has to look to score more," Garner said.
The Lady Eagles will scrimmage Nov. 3 at Ponder. Decatur's regular season opener is Nov. 10 at Denton.
Northwest Lady Texans 2009 record: 19-11
Class 5A Bi-district qualifiers
The Lady Texans took second place last season in District 5-5A but could not get past the first round of the playoffs. Southlake Carroll edged the Lady Texans in bi-district.
The Lady Texans and Coach Arnold Parker return just one starter, junior post Karli Moore, to make a run at another playoff spot.
"We're inexperienced," Parker said. "We have a lot of junior and seniors, but they are inexperienced. They have not played a lot together."
Northwest will scrimmage Frisco Wakeland Nov. 2. The Lady Texans' first game is Nov. 10 against Everman.
Boyd Lady Jackets 2009 record: 17-15
Class 2A Bi-district qualifiers
The Boyd Lady Jackets and Coach Lynn Cranfill captured the third playoff spot out of the tough District 9-2A. The Lady Jackets then ran into state-ranked Aubrey in the bi-district round of the playoffs, falling 54-38.
Boyd looks to reload with three returning starters, Jessica Drake, Shelbi Tidwell and Keenan Burgin. Cranfill said that's about the extent of the team's experience.
"That's the good news; we have three returning starters," Cranfill said. "But we're pretty short on experience outside that. We lost two kids that are playing in college."
In Drake, the Lady Jackets return the Messenger's Newcomer of the Year. Drake averaged 8.6 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists.
Boyd begins the season with a scrimmage against Birdville Oct. 31. The Lady Jackets' regular season opener is Nov. 10 at Keene.
Alvord Lady Bulldogs 2009 record: 13-9
The Lady Bulldogs finished fourth, just out of netting a playoff spot from the tough District 9-2A last season.
Coach Robert Schmucker returns four starters - guards Jordan Ward, Amber Greer, Jennifer Ward and post Madie Lynch. Schmucker, in his second season at Alvord, said the experience puts the team ahead of last year.
"It helps also with it being my second year," Schmucker said. "They know me, and I know them."
Alvord returns an all-area performer with Jordan Ward, who averaged 6.6 points, 3.9 steals and 3.8 assists, last season as a freshman.
"She played good for us for a freshman as a point guard," Schmucker said. "I expect her to be better with a little more experience."
The Lady Bulldogs will scrimmage Bridgeport Nov. 3. Alvord opens the regular season Nov. 10 against 2009 Class 3A state runner-up Argyle.
Paradise Lady Panthers 2009 record: 10-19
The Lady Panthers and Coach Jason Morales are hoping to take steps forward this season to compete for a playoff spot in the tough District 9-2A.
The Lady Panthers return four starters from last season - Casey Fletcher, Haley Mitchell, Baleigh Newman and Hannah Runnels. Morales expects the experience to help the team this year.
"We're going to be better than last year," Morales said. "We hope to make a run at a playoff spot."
The Lady Panthers will try to work the ball inside to Fletcher and Runnels this season.
"We have good strong posts," Morales said. "We have to get the ball inside. We don't have the depth to get the ball up and down the floor."
Paradise will open the season Nov. 10 at Bellevue.
Chico Lady Dragons 2009 record: 6-24
The Lady Dragons welcome new coach Steve Qualls to lead them. He comes to Chico from Sweetwater.
Qualls takes over a team that returns seven players with experience - Shelby Collins, Hannah Avants, Malori Moss, Nikki Weatherly, Molli Umphress, Megan Green and Andi Younger.
"They have some experience," Qualls said. "Our main focus is to play better basketball."
Collins is the leading returning scorer. She averaged more than eight points per game last year. Moss averaged 5.5.
Qualls said he's spent the first few days evaluating the girls and trying to find out they can do. He predicted they will be aggressive on defense.
Chico will scrimmage Breckenridge Oct. 31. The Lady Dragons open the season Nov. 10 against Saint Jo.
Slidell Lady Greyhounds 2009 record: 13-16
The Lady Greyhounds finished one game out of a playoff spot last year. Coach Cody Vanover will return all five starters this season as they look to get over the hump and into the postseason.
Vanover said coming up short last season gave the team extra incentive heading into this year.
"That gave us a lot of drive, and we worked hard all summer," Vanover said. "They are ready to get out there and mix it up."
Alli Staub led the Lady Greyhounds in scoring last year, averaging 13.2 points per game. Slidell also returns Sara Davis, who averaged 10.1 points.
Slidell will scrimmage Era Nov. 3. The Lady Greyhounds open the regular season Nov. 17 against Chico.
