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Southern Middle Tennessee girls basketball previews




Ricole Alderson (with ball) and Spring Hill come off their most successful campaign in recent memory, but the Lady Raiders have a new coach and a new district this season.CHRIS YOW / MAIN STREET MAURY

Ricole Alderson (with ball) and Spring Hill come off their most successful campaign in recent memory, but the Lady Raiders have a new coach and a new district this season.CHRIS YOW / MAIN STREET MAURY

Columbia Academy Lady Bulldogs

Coach: Stephen Fields (5th season)

District: 3-DII-A

2020-21 record: 7-15

2020-21 postseason finish: Lost in district quarterfinals

Returning starters: 4

Key contributors: Kennedy Chatman, Jr. G; Isabelle Dees, Sr. F; Madi Lewis, Jr. G; Karli Quillin, Sr. F; Averi Slaughter, Sr. G/F

Coach-speak: “I’m excited to see this group compete. For the first time we have five seniors and four juniors, all who can contribute with significant time for this squad. This is an athletic group that loves to compete and pushes one another every day at practice.”

Columbia Central Lady Lions

Coach: Megan Moore (1st season)

District: 12-AAAA

2020-21 record: 18-12

2020-21 postseason finish: Lost in Region 4-AAA quarterfinals

Returning starters: 3

Key contributors: Kiyanah Edwards, So. G; Saviya Morgan, So. G; Anaya Mulholland, So. G; Josie Parks, Sr. G; Janiyha Riley, Sr. F

Josie Parks and Columbia Central look to maintain their momentum this season after advancing to the region tournament last year for the first time since 2012.CHRIS YOW / MAIN STREET MAURY

Josie Parks and Columbia Central look to maintain their momentum this season after advancing to the region tournament last year for the first time since 2012.CHRIS YOW / MAIN STREET MAURY

Coach-speak: “Heavy schedule in first part of season to get ready for new district play. It’s a heavy frontload, but we’re competing and getting better. I love everything I’m seeing so far.”

Culleoka Lady Warriors

Coach: Catherine Upshaw (1st season)

District: 10-A

2020-21 record: 9-12

2020-21 postseason finish: Lost in Region 5-A quarterfinals

Returning starters: 3

Key contributors: Karli Jones, So. G; Maci McKennon, So. G; Tyler Reischman, Sr. G; Alex Skinner, Sr. G/F; Kylie Thomas, Sr. F

Coach-speak: “I am super excited to get this season going with this group of girls. They are hard-working, coachable and always have a positive attitude. They have great chemistry on and off the court. They have put in so much hard work … I can’t wait to watch it pay off and see them thrive on the court.”

Independence Lady Eagles

Coach: Tony Hill (1st season)

Already a 1,000-point scorer, Columbia Academy’s Madi Lewis (22) returns for her junior season.RIC BEU / MAIN STREET MAURY

Already a 1,000-point scorer, Columbia Academy’s Madi Lewis (22) returns for her junior season.RIC BEU / MAIN STREET MAURY

District: 12-AAAA

2020-21 record: 3-19

2020-21 postseason finish: Lost in district quarterfinals

Returning starters: 3

Key contributors: Ryan Brown, Jr. F; Katy McDonald, Jr. G; Kayla Northrup, Sr. G; Sarah Tang, Jr. C

Coach-speak: “We will be young and somewhat inexperienced as we have two players in key roles that did not play last season. We will still be playing a lot of freshmen and sophomores. We should have plenty of competition for playing time, which we think will give us sufficient depth.”

Loretto Lady Mustangs

Coach: Ashley Rutledge (8th season)

District: 10-AA

2020-21 record: 21-7

2020-21 postseason finish: Won Class A state championship

Returning starters: 3

Key contributors: Autumn Buttrum, Sr. G; Julie Clifton, Sr. G; Shelby Fisher, Sr. F; Ally Weathers, Fr. G; Karly Weathers, Sr. G

Coach-speak: “I think our team brings back a lot of experience, from our starters to the players coming off the bench. We are excited to be in Class AA. We know it will be a challenge and have been working hard to step up to that with a strong answer.”

 

 

Mt. Pleasant Lady Tigers

Coach: Hayden Pentecost (1st season)

District: 10-AA

2020-21 record: 4-20

2020-21 postseason finish: Lost in district play-in

Returning starters: 3

Key contributors: Baleigh Gray, Sr. G; Maggie Simpson, So. G; Addison Workman, So. F

Coach-speak: “We have a young core that is eager and wants to learn the game. I’m excited to see us compete and grow this season.”

Richland Lady Raiders

Coach: Chad Hall (10th season)

District: 10-A

2020-21 record: 17-6

2020-21 postseason finish: Lost in Region 5-A semifinals

Returning starters: 3

Key contributors: Gracie Braden, Jr. G; Katie Garner, Jr. G; Kristen Garner, Jr. G; Shelby Higgins, Fr. F

Coach-speak: “We have some very talented ladies returning to our team. We have approached every day with a blue-collar mentality and that should pay dividends for us down the road. We do have some areas of inexperience but we feel like we have the talent to overcome it. We are excited to once again have a gym full of fans each night.”

Santa Fe Lady Wildcats

Coach: Jonathon Slaughter (3rd season)

District: 10-A

2020-21 record: 2-17

2020-21 postseason finish: Lost in Region 5-A quarterfinals

Returning starters: 5

Key contributors: Elise Adkison, Sr. G; Emmy Bates, Sr. G; Hattie Hedrick, Jr. F; Gracie Mills, Sr. F; Aniston Slaughter, So. G

Coach-speak: “Returning all five starters from last year’s team, we hope to make a big improvement this year. Depth will be an issue as we only have nine players and we will need everyone to stay healthy. We have a new district this year, adding Wayne County and Collinwood, so our new district should be very competitive. We are looking forward to the season.”

Spring Hill Lady Raiders

Coach: Wayne Fortenberry (1st season)

District: 8-AAA

2020-21 record: 17-12

2020-21 postseason finish: Lost in Region 6-AAA quarterfinals

Returning starters: 3

Key contributors: Ricole Alderson, Sr. C; Belle Brashear, So. G; Jayce Brashear, So. G; Prairie Stedman, Sr. G/F

Coach-speak: “We are optimistic and have had some really good practices and scrimmages. The players are excited and looking forward to a good season.”

Summertown Lady Eagles

Coach: Jeremy Jean (1st season)

District: 10-AA

2020-21 record: 29-4

2020-21 postseason finish: Lost in Class A state championship game

Returning starters: 1

Key contributors: Katie Burdette, Sr. F; Ansley Burleson, Jr. G; Karlie Campbell, So. G; Reese Wilson, Jr. F

Coach-speak: “I’m looking forward to getting the year started. They have been working really hard this offseason to get back to the state tourney. Moving up to Class AA will make the road tougher, but we have to beat whoever we get put against to attain our goal.”

Summit Lady Spartans

Coach: John Wild

District: 12-AAAA

2020-21 record: 17-11

2020-21 postseason finish: Lost in Region 6-AAA quarterfinals

Returning starters: 3

Key contributors: Bergen Allee, Sr. G/F; Nicole Rizane, Jr. G; Claudette Runk, Sr. G/F; Cydney Wright, Sr. F

Coach-speak: “We have an experienced bunch with some depth. We shoot it better overall as a team than the last two years. We don’t have a lot of size, so we’ll have to pay particular attention to rebounding on the defensive end.”

Zion Christian Lady Eagles

Coach: Shaun Odom (2nd season)

District: TSIAA

2020-21 record: 3-13

Returning starters: 3

Key contributors: Maddy Hayes, Sr. G; Cassie Kennedy, Sr. G; Deanna Trousdale, Sr. F

Coach-speak: “This is my second season with the program; the foundation was laid down to playing hard and the ‘never-give-up’ attitude from start to finish. I will be leaning on my three seniors heavily and I think they all will help contribute in a big way this season.”

Despite multiple attempts to obtain preseason preview information, none was submitted from Hampshire or Lawrence County.

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