Sports
All Eight Teams Participate in TVC Girls Basketball Preview
By: Josh Gregory
Posted on:
Federal Hocking
The Lady Lancers have a ways to go after falling 11-10 against Meigs in their pre-season scrimmage. Head Coach Jeremy Tolson enters his second year with the Lady Lancers and is looking to fill some depth in this young squad.
The ladies will look to Junior Destiny Tabler for the big numbers, and setting up big offensive plays. The team will look to improve on defense and turnovers.Federal Hocking also has a wild card in freshman Faith Wolfe. The young player has Down syndrome but left the crowd on their feet after sinking both of her free throws and put the Lancers up 10-9 against Meigs.
Meigs
The Lady Marauders took a hit after losing Kelsey Hudson to graduation, but put on an interesting new image after beating Fed Hock 11-10 on a buzzer beater 2-point step-back jump shot from freshman guard Kassidy Betzing.
With Scott Cleland entering his first year as head coach and Madison Hendricks maturing after an impressive freshman year with the Lady Marauders, expect some big and new things from this young squad.
Athens
The reigning champs of the TVC-Ohio, the Lady Bulldogs, will enter this season with a brand new image under first-year head coach Paul McNeal. The team fell to Belpre 25-22 off a turnover, and a 3-pointer from the Lady Golden Eagles in the last six seconds of the game.
With the loss of many standout players, the team is in a transition phase. Alexis McCollum and Rachel Gilkey are two players that could lead the Lady Bulldogs in that transition process and spark the fire to remain atop the TVC-Ohio.
Nelsonville-York
Although they fell to Eastern 21-17, the Lady Buckeyes will enter this season with a dangerous mix of a fresh start in first-year head coach Doug Whiteman and experience on the court in a senior-heavy squad.
Point guard Jesse Addis and forward Katelyn Hurd are a few seniors who’ve already stepped up and their play on the hardwood could give this team the fire to take the TVC-Ohio crown.
Eastern
Under the experience of head coach John Burdette and Laura Pullins, The Lady Eagles showed they are hungry for the TVC-Hocking crown when they took down Nelsonville-York 21-17.
They’ve got the tools to do it with several key players returning. Last year, Madison Williams was one of Eastern’s offensive powerhouses in her freshman year, and is entering this season more mature. Laura Pullins also returns, eager to put up big numbers on offense and strong pressure on defense this season.
Alexander
The Lady Spartans showcased a dominant fast-paced game in their 30-14 win over the Southern Tornadoes. Head coach Cory McKnight enters his second season with the team. McKnight looks to junior guard Leah Richardson and senior center Kendall Meeks to lead the team.
As she has done since her freshman year, Richardson continues to be a powerhouse for Alexander. She is able to get into the paint, work the perimeter, and set her teammates up in great positions. After missing last year, Meeks is back and ready for some action on the hardwood. She will be a key factor down low for the Lady Spartans. A struggle they faced last year. Expect this team to be a very strong contender for the number one spot in the TVC-Ohio.
Vinton County
The Lady Vikings took out the Lady Tomcats 25-13 in their scrimmage, showing the overwhelming offensive and defensive play of Lady Viking Michaela Puckett. With the ability to control the flow of the game on both ends of the and record big numbers, the senior forward is likely to pose a threat on the court. Alongside Puckett, senior forward Jalen Hale will be a force in Vinton County’s man-to-man defense.
With Rod Bentley in his second year of coaching, the team is starting to understand him more. He stressed improving the team’s physicality and mindset in the offseason, which could lead to a transformation from last season.
Trimble
The Lady Tomcats fell 25-13 in their scrimmage against Vinton County. However, they bring back some experience in Nicole Kish, Sydney Hardy and Morgan Murphy that could help bolster Trimble’s chances at the claiming TVC-Hocking crown.
Joe Richards enters his first year as head coach for the Lady Tomcats. He could be the fresh start this team needs going into the season.