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KIDWELL - Expectations are high for the Tyler Consolidated girls' basketball team with plenty of experience from six seniors and a group of very talented underclassmen.
And while the six seniors will see plenty of playing time, it is a junior and a sophomore that has Coach Tom Phillips the most excited.
Junior Braedon Wall (5-9, G) returns to lead the way while sophomore Julianna Lattea (5-7, F) is a beast inside.
"We are excited about the overall turnout that we have this year," Phillips said. "And for us it starts with Braedan Wall and Julianna Lattea. Julianna was actually one of the top rebounders in the state last year as a freshman.
The senior leadership will be provided from a group that includes Havanna Lemasters (5-8, F), Leah Loudin (5-7, F), Shelby Thomas (5-3, G), Caitlyn Northcraft (5-6, F) Trinity Kanz (5-10, F) and Mallory Westbrook (5-5, G). Others juniors are Erin Riffle (5-5, G), Maleah Weber (5-7, G) and Regan Stover.
Sophomores include Alexis Livingston (5-7, F) and Makenzie Henthorn (5-6, G) while the freshman class will consist of Riley Stover (5-2, G), Izzy Murray (5-6, G), Macie Highley (5-6, G), Ryland Henderson (5-6, G), Kathryn Grimm I5-7, G) and Tayler Donaldson (5-9, G).
"We are really looking for a great season this year," Phillips added. "There is still a lot of work to do, but the girls are buying into our game plan and we are very excited about where it is all leading."
The Lady Silver Knights will open at Williamstown on December 2 before the home opener against Valley on the eighth.
AT PADEN CITY, girls' head coach Josh Fulks is excited about the upcoming season with senior standout McKenzie Thomas leading the way.
Thomas will be joined on the court by classmates Haley Walton and Clarissa Camilli with more junior leadership provided by juniors Mallory Dennis and Jocelyn Sawinski while a strong group of sophomores are led by Lexi Mathis, Riley Blake, Brook Gray, Kimberly Burch and Brenna Clark.
Freshman players are Katie Householder, Ashton Wade and Hopelynn Ewing.
"We are really looking forward to this upcoming season," Fulks admitted. "I have a well-rounded group of athletes this year.
"The ladies are excited to get the season underway and we will be relying on McKenzie Thomas to be the leader of this group, both on and off of the court."
The Lady Wildcats will open the season on Nov. 29 at Hundred before returning home to host the Bob Burton Holiday Classic where they will play Bridgeport on Friday night and Valley on Saturday.
AT HUNDRED, Coach Jeremy Kelch welcomes back a first-team All-OVAC honoree in Roxie Huggins, who will lead the way for the Lady Hornets.
However, Hundred has only nine girls on the roster with five juniors and four freshmen.
Seniors include Ashlynn Peters, Leah Dean, Summer Morris and Aeronna Zarrco while freshmen battling for playing time will be Catalina Watson, Aliyah Shreve, Kylie Morris and Riley Morgan.
Addie Tuttle and Rachel Snedden were lost to graduation.
"We have a strong core coming back from last year with five returning lettermen that will all be juniors," Kelch said. "But we will also have to deal with losing two four-year starting guards."
The speedy Tuttle and hard-working Snedden helped lead the Hornets to their first regional appearance in 14 years in 2021.
"I feel this can be a great defensive and rebounding team with us having a little bit of size, but the overall goal is getting back to the regional and giving ourselves a chance at a trip to Charleston. We know that won't be easy with loaded teams like Cameron and Doddridge County in our section.
"Roxie Huggins had huge sophomore season for us last year and is coming off a summer of AAU competition and hard work, but she will also be making the transition from forward to point-guard. We are expecting plenty of good things from the remainder of our junior class and we have some nice athletes in the freshman ranks as well."
The Lady Hornets are coming off a 10-10 campaign in which they finished second in the sectional before having their season end in the regional. Hundred will host Paden City on Nov. 29 to open the season.
IN HIS SECOND year on the bench for the Valley girls', Tommy Shannon is hoping that experience goes a long way for his Lumberjills as well.
With a roster that features a pair of seniors and five juniors, Shannon is excited about his team's experience and depth.
Sisters Cheyanne Higgins (5-7) and junior Winter Thomas (5-2) will be counted on heavily along with senior Andrea Thomas (5-8). Juniors include Harli Rush (5-7), Evi Booher (5-7), Charity Bates (5-8) and Iesha Quinn (5-4).
The remainder of the roster will be filled by three freshmen in Laken Dawson (5-5), Michaela Miller (5-5) and Alexis Highley (5-7).
"We have a 10-player roster with seven upper classmen returning from last season," Shannon said. "So we are going to have some good experience and depth this year.
"Leading the way for us will be the Higgins sisters who both come with good defense, skill and speed. Andrea Thomas and Harli Rush provide plenty of scoring and rebounding underneath while juniors Evi Booher and Charity Bates will give us spark off the bench.
"Freshman Laken Dawson is a good ball handler and shooter with quick feet and will be a great addition while the remainder of the freshmen will offer good depth."
The 'Jills will host Madonna on Nov. 29 for the season opener before heading on the road for three games.