Young Lady Spartans try to put rough '07 season in the past

OAKWOOD - After enduring a rough 3-21 campaign last season, the West Hall girls basketball team can only go up as it prepares for the 2007-08 season.

And coach Lynn Jarrett believes her young squad should be up for the challenge.

"It was a tough season (last year)," Jarrett said. "But the girls we have returning understand what they need to do to be competitive now and that's a good lesson to learn."

The Lady Spartans return three starters from last year's team, led by junior forward Jayla Moon, who had a breakout season last year. Senior guard Kim Smigleski returns, as does senior point guard Savannah Rowe, though she is still recovering from a summer knee injury and will not be ready until December.

Sophomore Emily Hammond will see plenty of action early on in place of Rowe and Jarrett thinks how Hammond handles running the offense could be a key for the Lady Spartans.

"We think she could be a good one and getting her some early experience will be valuable. It will also give us two quality people who can play point and that's hard to find," Jarrett said.

Moon blossomed into one of Hall County's best go-to players by the end of last season and will give West Hall a solid inside presence. Seniors Shelley Smith and Tiffany Black will also play inside and sophomore Bailey Soucie can play both guard and forward.

Depth, however, will still be an issue for West Hall. But Jarrett said some early success would go a long way.

"(Depth) is what we need to develop the most and hopefully we can find two or three more girls to fill in where we need help," Jarrett said. "We worked real hard in the offseason and I know we'll be more competitive this year. If we can get a couple of wins early the girls will see that there work has paid off and then who knows what can happen."

West Hall opens the season Nov. 17th against Forsyth Central in the Turkey Shootout in Forsyth County.