We knew that the area's girls basketball teams would be good last season -- but even we were surprised by just how good.
Northeast Georgia's teams produced one state champion (Buford), another semifinalist (East Hall) and plenty more quarterfinalists (Gainesville, Dawson County, Commerce) and Sweet 16 squads -- not to mention other tournament champions and goodness knows how many memorable contests.
So many of those teams enter the 2015-16 season with high expectations for the upcoming campaign, while several more squads believe they have the right combinations to make deep runs and history this go around.
There are several new head coaches and plenty of talent to go around -- both new and veteran -- meaning we could be in for another huge campaign. With that in mind we gathered the info on squads from throughout northeast Georgia and present them here in our 2015-16 season preview. (Teams are listed alphabetically. Scroll down to read on...)
2015-16 GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PREVIEWS
BANKS COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Jerry King, ninth season, 107-95 record at school
-- REGION: 7-AAA
-- 2014-15 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 24-6, Reached Class AAA second round
-- RETURNING STARTERS: Zero
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. PG Jaylyn Lack, Sr. G Mallory Parson, Sr. G Morgan Rylee, So. G Allison Smith
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: Certainly the Lady Leopards will be learning on the go this season after graduating all five starters from last year’s impressive squad. Yet King says that will not dampen their expectations, and Banks believes it can build on last year’s success. This year’s team will took to play fast, rely on its defense and a quick-break offense.
BUFORD
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Gene Durden; 11th year
-- REGION: 8-AAAA
-- 2014-15 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 30-3, Region 8-AAAA champion, Class AAAA champion
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 4
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. F Chandler Hall 5-11, Jr. P Zikaya Wright 5-11, Jr. PG Pamela Johnson 5-5, Jr. F Marissa Bruce 5-7, Jr. SG Rachel Dobbs 5-6, So. PG Tory Ozment 6-0, So. F Audrey Weiner 5-10, So. F Mary Walters 5-9, So. P Jessica Nelson 6-2, So. G Kya Styles 5-6
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Wolves will miss graduated players Camille Anderson (N.C. State) and Corey Staples (Sante Fe) but also return plenty of talent. They are accustomed to playing deep into the season, having played for the state title six of the past seven seasons. They return some varsity experience, led by Hall, but are young overall so it could take the first part of the season for the parts to jell. But look for them to be in the mix for a region title by season’s end. Hall, Wright, Johnson and Bruce are returning starters, and you can expect them to play in the typical Buford way -- using a smothering defense to transition into a fast-paced offense.
CHESTATEE
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Web Daniel, 11th season, 176-102 record at school
-- REGION: 8-AAAA
-- 2014-15 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 16-13, Region 8-AAAA runner-up, reached Class AAAA first round
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 3
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. G Kayla Watson (10 ppg, 3 apg, 3 rpg in 2014-15), Jr. SF Brooklyn Popham (7 ppg, 6 rpg, 45 percent 3-point shooter), So. G Lindsay Caudillo (4 ppg)
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady War Eagles may have lost three starters but they are still long on experience with 10 of 13 players from last season’s squad returning. That said it is still a relatively young group and is still improving -- which means Chestatee has a chance for big things. The Lady War Eagles will continue to play in the half-court on offense and defense, featuring a number of talented guards that will lead the way -- including Watson. Chestatee will have to work hard to grab rebounds, but if it can hold its own inside then success will be quick in following.
COMMERCE
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Brad Puckett
-- REGION: 8-A
-- 2014-15 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Second season, 17-13, Region 8-A tournament champion, first winning record for girls program since 2001, reached Class A Public quarterfinals
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 5
-- KEY PLAYERS: So. PG Mya Jones (leading scorer in 2014-15, Region 8-A Player of the Year), So. G Asia Jones (second leading scorer), Sr. G Brasha Jones, Sr. P Nia Johnson, Sr. P Savannah Mullis, So. SG Maddie Rodriquez
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: Jones made the Lady Tigers go last year and is still getting back to full strength after suffering an ACL injury in the first 16 seconds of last year’s state quarterfinal game in the playoffs. However, Coach Puckett said they should compete once again for the region title, though they will not be able to fly under the radar this season, which could make the going a little tougher this campaign.
DAWSON COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Steve Sweat, 20th season, 480-290 record overall
-- REGION: 7-AAA
-- 2014-15 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 29-1, Region 7-AAA champion, reached Class AAA quarterfinals
-- RETURNING STARTERS: Two
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. W Karlie Bearden (12 ppg, 8 rpg in 2014-15), Sr. PG Haley Burgess (8 ppg, 3.5 apg), Sr. W Peytan Porter (3 ppg, 3 rpg), Sr. P Katelynn Simpson (4.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg)
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: After graduating a number of standouts from last year’s team the Lady Tigers will be incorporating some new players into their rotation, but that won’t change how Dawson County plays. The Lady Tigers will continue to push the tempo on offense and press on defense. Bearden is a bona fide standout, while Burgess is also a leader. Perhaps the biggest returnee, however, is Sweat -- who announced his retirement before deciding to stick with the program he has built into a state power.
EAST HALL
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Justin Wheeler, third season, 35-26 record at school
-- REGION: 7-AAA
-- 2014-15 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 20-11, Region 7-AAA runner-up, reached Class AAA semifinals
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 3
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. F Jenny Edwards (10 ppg, 9 rpg, Class AAA All-State in 2014-15), Sr. G Ashlyn Ellison (8 ppg, 5 apg, All-Region), Jr. F Kylah Mize (10 ppg, 4 rpg), So. G Carly Winters (7 ppg, 35 percent 3-point shooter)
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: Expectations were sent through the roof thanks to last season’s Final Four run -- but the Lady Vikings aren’t getting carried away with things, with coach Wheeler working to keep them focused on game-by-game improvement. This year’s team will feature plenty of speed, and East Hall’s aim is to get the ball in transition quickly. Edwards (a collegiate recruit) and Mize are versatile inside-out players that can hurt teams in a number of ways, while Ellison -- committed to Armstrong State University -- can both facilitate and score. The Lady Vikings will add some talented youngsters as well, and will look to hit the ground running. East Hall faces a tough schedule that includes the South Florida Holiday Shootout in Hollywood, Fla.
EAST JACKSON
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Matthew Gibbs, third season, 11-67 record at school
-- REGION: 8-AAA
-- 2014-15 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 5-21
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 3
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. G Libbi Lance (11 ppg, 3 rpg in 2014-15), Jr. G Faith Grooms (7 ppg, 2 apg, 2 spg), Sr. G Anneka Cozzens (6 ppg, 4 rpg, 1 spg)
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Eagles return five players with varsity experience and hope to use that to flip some of the close games they lost last season. They like to control tempo and hope that a year’s experience will help carry them to the state playoffs for the first time in school history.
FANNIN COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Suzianne Pass, ninth season
-- REGION: 7-AAA
-- 2014-15 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 11-15
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 1
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. G Lacey Walden (only returning starter, good shooter and tough defender), Sr. G Andrea Thomas (missed her junior year due to ACL injury), Jr. P Catie Mosley, Jr. G Haylee Franklin, So. P Hope Franklin (also missed part of last season with an injury), So. P Mackenzey McClure, So. G Maddie Johnson, So. G Morgan Patton
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Rebels graduated four starters and the majority of their offense. They have plenty of young talent but it could take them most of the season to get up to speed in a tough region. Expect them to improve as the season goes along, however.
FLOWERY BRANCH
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Courtney Newton, first season
-- REGION: 8-AAAAA
-- 2014-15 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 21-6, reached Class AAAAA first round
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 5
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. G Maddie Hetzel (6.5 ppg in 2014-15, University of North Georgia signee), Sr. G Kierra Knight (5.7 ppg), Jr. F Julianne Sutton (8.8 ppg, 8.6 rpg), So. G Taniyah Worth (5.7 ppg), So. PG Lexie Sengkhammee (7.8 ppg)
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: There is plenty of continuity on the roster but also plenty of change in what fans should expect from the Lady Falcons this season, as former star player Newton takes the helm. The new coach will have her team running and gunning on offense and pressing on defense. Lady Falcons players have worked hard to make the most of the transition and each starter has the ability to be the focal point of the offense. The Lady Falcons know their new approach will be tested early and often in 8-AAAAA -- three teams from the league reached the state quarterfinals last season.
GAINESVILLE
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Brenda Hill-Gilmore, fifth season
-- REGION: 8-AAAAA
-- 2014-15 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 22-9, Lanierland champion, reached Class AAAAA quarterfinals
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 5
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. G Shikiya Brown, Sr. F Breana Fair, Jr. G Taylor Hawks, Jr. F Tanai Watson, Sr. Kayla Kelly
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Red Elephants stormed to the state quarterfinals last season and hope to build on that momentum with all five starters back. Gainesville will look to turn up the athleticism and defensive pressure that extra notch this season and make things even tougher on the opposition. And with so much experience at the helm, coach Hill-Gilmore believes her squad is capable of even bigger things. Yes the team must become more consistent offensively, but the potential is there for another big run, as -- like their region rivals at The Branch -- any number of players can step up and provide on a given night.
HABERSHAM CENTRAL
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: John Hood, seventh season, 90-73 record at school
-- REGION: 6-AAAAAA
-- 2014-15 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 14-12
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 3
-- KEY PLAYERS: Jr. Lainey Gosnell, first team 6-AAAAAA selection last season, Sr. Abi Lovell, three-year starter, Jr. Kiley Blackburn
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Raiders like to run a motion offense and play man-to-man defense. They should be able to challenge for a playoff spot in an extremely competitive Region 6-AAAAAA.
JACKSON COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Julie McCutcheon, third season
-- REGION: 8-AAA
-- 2014-15 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 9-17
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 3
-- KEY PLAYERS: Jr. PG Brianna Love (12 ppg in 2014-15), Jr. G Logan Cook, Jr. G Destiny Gaudlock, Sr. F/C Sawyer Vickers, Sr. G/F Shelton Kendrix (DNP as a Jr.; 11 ppg as a So.)
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: Look for the Lady Panthers to use their strength in the backcourt to be up tempo and aggressive on both ends of the floor. They should be competitive for a playoff spot in a tough region after losing in overtime in the region tournament for a playoff spot
JEFFERSON
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Jason Gibson, ninth season, 151-89 record at school
-- REGION: 8-AAA
-- 2014-15 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 21-7, Region 8-AAA runner-up, reached Class AAA first round
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 3
-- KEY PLAYERS: Jr. PG Abbie Franklin (16 ppg, 6 apg in 2014-15), Jr. C Hope Forrester (10 ppg, 6 rpg), So. W McKenzie Tyner (8 ppg, 3 spg), So. Mariah Starks, So. Jazmin Allen, So. McKenzie Ulmer, Jr. Lauren Wagner, Jr. Baylee McCullough, Sr. Allison Patrick, Sr. Jalerica Smith.
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Dragons like to play an up-tempo style. They will play a tough non-region schedule to prepare for a tough and competitive region. The program is very much used to winning and hopes to build on last season's first round exit.
JOHNSON
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Tiffany Russell, second season
-- REGION: 8-AAAA
-- 2014-15 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 5-20 -- more wins than the previous three seasons combined
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 3
-- KEY PLAYERS: Jr. W/P Hannah Hester, Sr. P Kimmie Brady, So. PG Caroline Odum
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: After years of struggling, coach Kirkland and her charges clearly put the Lady Knights back on solid footing last season, and it looks to be paying off, as Johnson has a junior varsity squad again after not having enough players to field one in recent campaigns. The varsity group includes some veteran starters as well as some intriguing transfers (Odum could be a difference-maker). Standout point guard Sarah Williams is now at Truett-McConnell, so the Lady Knights must replace her point production, but a healthy and burgeoning bench has Kirkland optimistic. Expect Johnson to be quicker and to press the issue more on defense as they look to continue their upward trend.
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: John Carrick, fifth season, 71-64 record at school
-- REGION: 8-A
-- 2014-15 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 17-10, Region 8-A regular season champ, reached Class A Private first round
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 2
-- KEY PLAYERS: Jr. G Hannah Grogan (All-Region in 2014-15), Sr. P Haley Cash, Jr. P Ryann Moody
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: There is a lot of potential on the floor this season for the Lady Lions, as coach Carrick looks at the deepest bench he’s had in his stint at Lakeview. The Lady Lions also feature several capable shooters and have the ability to get out and run the floor more than in seasons past. Grogan is a potential game-breaker on the perimeter. Chemistry is also a strength, as the Lady Lions look to get back to the top of 8-A, facing fierce competition from teams such as Commerce, George Walton and Prince Avenue Christian.
LANIER
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Oji Perkins, first season
-- REGION: 8-AAAAA
-- 2014-15 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 4-20
-- RETURNING STARTERS: Zero
-- KEY PLAYERS: Fr. PG Kalen Surles, So. SG Bailey Bassett (led team in 3-point attempts and 3-pointers made in 2014-15), So. F Jamyah Montissol, So. F Jasmine Sullivan, Sr. F Ashlan Leazer, Jr. Angela Raez, Fr. Mekala Fuller, Fr. Nala Lawrence
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Longhorns are young and will need time to implement a new system and philosophy. It may take most of the season for them to become competitive for a possible playoff spot.
LUMPKIN COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Greg Murray, first season back in charge, sixth overall at school
-- REGION: 7-AAA
-- 2014-15 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 2-24
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 1
-- KEY PLAYERS: N/A
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: Murray has been a coach six seasons but split into three stints. Expect the Lady Indians to be a hard working group that will be athletic. But, they play in one of the toughest region in Class AAA. They may be a year or two away from challenging for a playoff spot but could be a sleeper if they improve and find the right combinations.
NORTH FORSYTH
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Eric Herrick, fifth season, 98-24 record at school
-- REGION: 6-AAAAAA
-- 2014-15 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 24-6 Region 6-AAAAAA runner-up, reached Class AAAAAA second round
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 1
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. G Morgan Grindle, Jr. P Maddie Palmer, So. G Hailey Simpson, So. W Cassie Markle (transfer from Horizon Christian), So. G Amber Jones
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Raiders are young with only one returning starter but should be quick with good outside shooters. Expect them to improve as the season goes along and be competitive in 6-AAAAAA. North Forsyth has established itself as a consistent winner under Herrick, and players are used to what is expected of them now in Coal Mountain.
NORTH HALL
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Kristi House, seventh season, 91-54 record at school
-- REGION: 8-AAAA
-- 2014-15 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 18-12, reached Class AAAA second round
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 3
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sadie Cleveland Jr. guard, 9ppg, Taylor Anne Kelley, Jr. guard, 9ppg, Sarah Hollifield, Sr. post, Tatum McQuliiem, Jr. guard
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Trojans lost a couple of key players but return plenty of experience and talent and are hoping to make that pay off this season. Look for North Hall to base a lot off of how it plays defense, which will have the ability to present multiple looks. House believes her team also has chemistry and intelligence -- both from experience together and pure basketball smarts -- and that can take North Hall a long way. There could be some growing pains early, but the Lady Trojans may well be the team no one wants to face come region tournament time.
RABUN COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: DeeDee Dillard, 10th season, 191-59 record at school
-- REGION: 8-AA
-- 2014-15 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 16-10, Region 8-AA champion, reached Class AA first round
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 1
-- KEY PLAYERS: Jr. SG/PG Savanna Scott, Sr. SF Delaney Edwards, Sr. PG Bailey Dillard, Sr. SF Alyson Nix, Sr. SG KatyBeth Rentz, Sr. SG Alexis Owens
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: Despite returning just one starter in Scott, the Lady Wildcats feature a core group of seniors that will be relied upon for consistency on both ends of the floor. The junior class got plenty of game experience last season, and a talented group of underclassmen is also on the way as Rabun looks to defend its region crown. Defensive pressure will be a priority along with patience and execution on the offensive end of the floor.
STEPHENS COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Jerry Brown, first season
-- REGION: 8-AAAA
-- 2014-15 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 12-12
-- RETURNING STARTERS: N/A
-- KEY PLAYERS: N/A
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Indians are looking to get back to the postseason under a new head coach. Stephens County has been a consistent winner in the past, and there's no reason to think that will change now.
TOWNS COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Jim Melton, 17th season, 331-156 record at school
-- REGION: 8-A
-- 2014-15 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 9-17
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 2
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. F Savannah Dyer, Sr. G Jocelyn Byers, Jr. F Kirsten Ledford, Jr. G Kristen Henson, Jr. G Madison Landress, Jr. G Madison Stroud, So. G Madison McClure
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: Last season the Lady Indians missed out on the playoffs for just the second time in Helton’s 16 seasons. After the rebuilding year, expect them to get back in the running for a playoff spot. They will play their patented up-tempo offensive with pressing defense.
UNION COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: David Tucker, fifth season
-- REGION: 8-AA
-- 2014-15 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 19-7, reached Class AA first round
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 1
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. F Layne Colwell, Sr. F Kim Coyne
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Panthers missed out on a region championship by the narrowest of margins last season but enter this campaign looking for new standouts to step into starting roles after players like 8-AA Player of the Year Brooke Maddox graduated. Colwell is a force inside, while Coyne also received extensive playing time last campaign. Union County could experience some growing pains but you can expect them to fight for every inch.
WEST HALL
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Bryan Richerson, third season, 19-31 record at school
-- REGION: 7-AAA
-- 2014-15 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 11-14
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 5
-- KEY PLAYERS: Jr. G Macy Passmore (10.4 ppg, 3 apg, 4.3 rpg in 2014-15), So. G Anna McKendree (13.4 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 apg), Sr. F Meaghan Kelling (8.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg), Jr. F Megan English, Jr. G Avery Prather
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Spartans missed out on a state playoff berth by three points last season, and they are determined to make up the difference this time around. Another year of experience, as well as another year under Richerson has this team both confident and prepped for what is expected. West Hall’s players have developed plenty of chemistry, and they are hungry for success. Expect the Lady Spartans to base everything off stout defense and to look to get quicker in transition this season. West Hall will also undertake a tough non-region schedule that includes a trip to Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., for an early-season tournament.
WHITE COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Tyler Whitlock, second season, 16-10 record at school
-- REGION: 8-AAAA
-- 2014-15 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 16-10
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 2
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. G Abby Watson, Sr. G/F, Sr. G McKayla McCallister, Jr. G Denisia Mataro, Jr. G Charlsie Maddox
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Warriors were in the running for a playoff spot in a tough region and should be competitive again in 2015-16. Watson and McCallister give them an experienced and potent backcourt.
-- Key: Sr: senior, Jr: junior, So: sophomore, Fr: freshman, PG: point guard, G: guard, SG: shooting guard, W: wing, F: forward, PF: power forward, SF: small forward, P: post, C: center, PPG: points per game, RPG: rebounds per game, APG: assists per game, SPG: steals per game, FT: free throws.
