BUTLER
Coach: Larry Just (seven year)
Last season: 23-6, lost to Bullitt East 56-53 in the Sixth Region first round
Player to watch: Junior Jaelynn Penn will lead an ensemble cast for the Bearettes this season. The 5-9 guard averaged 10.2 points per game last season.
Other players: Guard-Forward Allison Just (Sr., 5-9, 5.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg), Guard Tasia Jeffries (Jr., 5.8, 8.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg), Forward Michiah Bowden (St., 5-10, 5.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg), Forward-Center Janna Lewis (Jr., 5-8, 7.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg), Guard Teri Goodlett (Jr. , 5-5, 6.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg)
Outlook: Butler, the state champs just two years ago, will get contributions from two seniors and six juniors and two sophomores in their quest to make it back to the Sweet 16. “We’ve got a lot of kids that now have been battle tested, which has kind of been important for us,” said Just, who has six players who averaged at least 5.7 points per game last year.
DOSS
Coach: Michael Crowe (second year)
Last season: 10-13, lost to Western 69-54 in a district semifinal
Player to watch: Senior guard Ashauntee Hooten led the team with a 16.5 scoring average and has good ability to hit the outside shot. She tied a school record with seven three pointers in a game against Thomas Nelson last year. Crowe said she’s also gotten better defensively this season, too.
Other players: Forward April Saunders (Sr., 5-9, 12.9 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and Forward Azaria Battle (Sr., 6-0 11.3 ppg, 10.0 rpg)
Outlook: Not only do the Dragons return all five starters from last year’s team, they’ll have three seniors who averaged in double figures last season as well. Crowe will look to those seniors to provide leadership as they seek a berth in the regional tournament.
IROQUOIS
Coach: Greg Schackert (first year)
Last season: 6-17, lost to Butler 76-9 in a district semifinal
Player to watch: Nakiya Watkins is one of the few Raiders returning with some varsity experience, so Schackert will call upon the 5-2 senior guard to be the floor leader.
Other players: Tonyell Stephens (Sr., 6-1)
Outlook: The Raiders lost all five starters off last year’s squad, so Schackert, who served as an assistant on last year’s squad, starts nearly from scratch. He has a number of freshman who are coming into the program to help with the depth.
WESTERN
Coach: Aubrey Holle (second year)
Last season: 10-11, lost to Pleasure Ridge Park 62-57 in the Sixth Region first round
Player to watch: Swingman Destany Lovejust has a knack for the ball, Holle said. The 5-7 junior averaged 9.1 points per game and will be a presence inside as well.
Other players: Center Jay’Da Rhodes (Sr., 6-0, 5.4 ppg) and Guard Destoni Anderson (5-5, 9.1 ppg)
Outlook: Holle will look to her top returning players to help fill the void left by leading Datoria Higgins, but she just needs to find the right role for some of them. “I think when we are playing our best, we will surprise some people,” Holle said.
