Conference: 2A-2
Coach (include year at school and career record): LouAnn Sanders, entering fourth year, record 34-39
Last year's record: 13-14, third in conference, made regional tournament
Returning starters: Taylor Bennett, a 5-8 senior point guard, averaged 5 points per game last season; Tori Ivy, a 5-8 senior guard/forward, 16 ppg; Caitlin Haley, a 5-11 senior post player, 12 ppg; and Alexandra Bohannan, a 5-6 junior guard, 6 ppg.
Best inside players: Haley, Roseanna Ezell and Shayna Burklow. “Caitlin has really worked hard this summer and preseason staying in shape and trying to improve her game. She is a hard worker and really wants to help her team excel,” Sanders said of Haley, then turning to Ezell by saying, “Roseanna has the potential to be a key player for us this year. She has the height and strength that can separate her from the rest. She loves the game and it shows every time she steps on the court. Roseanna will help us a lot this year.” Finally, in regard to Burklow, Sanders said, “Shayna is a strong inside player. Mentally and physically, Shayna does a great job. She is a hustler and a very coachable player. She will make great contributions this year.”
Best outside players: Ivy, Bennett, Bohannan and Katelyn Houston. “Tori has a great shot, and she is a go-getter. She helped us quite a bit last year, and I think she will again this year,” Sanders said of Ivy. Meanwhile, on Bennett, she said, “Taylor has really worked hard this summer and preseason with her shots and finishing shots in the lane. I feel like she will be able to handle the ball and have several assists, as well as get some great drives from driving to the basket.” With regard to Bohannan, the coach said, “Alexandra will help us inside and out. She is a hustler and very scrappy. I think that she will be a huge contributor to our team this year, offensively and defensively.” Lastly, coach Sanders said, “Katelyn (Houston) will be able to be a good point guard as well as shooting guard this year. She is quick and will be able to contribute on defense and offense.”
How will you match/exceed/fall short of your success from last year? As the saying goes, Sanders is cautiously optimistic. On the 2011-2012 campaign, she said, “I believe that if everyone stays healthy, we will exceed our success from last year. With the experience we gained throughout last year, and gaining key sophomores and other players stepping into key roles, it can help us achieve even more success this year.”
Strengths of team: Pointing to the hustle and active play of the aforementioned players, Sanders listed quickness, hustle and experience as key strengths for the Lady Bulldogs.
Weaknesses of team: While the Quitman girls will have several experienced players, Sanders is worried about the team staying healthly and “finding a leader that will step up and take on the role.”
Games to watch: Mount Vernon-Enola, Guy Perkins, Nemo Vista and Greers Ferry Westside. “These are all local games and they have great tradition and should be good match-ups for us,” Sanders said.
Toughest opponent: Speaking honestly, Sanders said, “I'm not sure who will be our toughest opponent this year, so we will focus and prepare one game at a time.”
College prospects: For the reasons listed above, Sanders listed Ivy, Haley, Bennett, Bohannan, Ezell and Burklow as all having some potential to play ball on the next level.
In a nutshell: ”We will be a fun and competitive team to watch this year,” the coach said. “These girls work extremely hard and have a lot of fight in them. We are excited to get the year kicked off next month.”