Conference: 2A-5
Coach: Jeremy Carson (second year, 10-16)
Assistant coach: Kim Powell
2010-11 record: 10-16 overall (7-5 in conference, fourth place)
Returning starters: Sarah Roberson (5-7 junior forward, 3 points per game, 2 rebounds per game); Sarah Nekonchuk (5-4 junior guard, 2 ppg, 2 assists per game)
Best inside players: Carson said Roberson should lead the Lady Eagles’ inside game. Allison Hopkins (5-6 senior forward, 1 ppg, 2 rpg) should also make a difference.
Best outside players: Nekonchuk brings back the most experience from the perimeter. Carson said he would look to a couple of sophomores, Haley Carter (5-3 guard) and Anna Cain (5-6 guard), to help from the outside.
How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year? Two years removed from the first state championship in school history, the Lady Eagles are in rebuilding mode. “After losing 40 points and 25 rebounds per game to graduation, we are going to be hard-pressed to match the success of last year,” Carson said.
Strengths of the team: The coach said athleticism at guard would be the team's most obvious strength.
Weaknesses of the team: Graduation left quite a void. Carson said the Lady Eagles would battle weaknesses of depth, size and lack of experience.
Games to watch: Clinton. “After playing overtime last year, both teams are young, inexperienced and graduated just about all of their scoring,” Carson said.
Toughest opponent: The Lady Eagles will face England, the defending Class 2A state champion, in their conference. The Lady Lions return everyone from that state championship team.
College prospects: None.
In a nutshell: “Despite a much more manageable schedule, the success of this team largely depends on how quickly the players develop chemistry and a reliable scorer,” Carson said. “Defensively, this team could be better than last year, as that has been a focus during the summer and preseason.”