Over the past two seasons northeast Georgia girls basketball teams have won two state titles (both by Buford), played for two others (Flowery Branch and Rabun County), made five more semifinals appearances, and five other quarterfinals run.
However, as area teams get ready to embark on the 2018-19 season, gone are players like Buford's Tory Ozment (Michigan State), Flowery Branch's Taniyah Worth (Alabama) and Lexi Sengkhemmee (Emmanuel College), who helped lead their teams to titles and unprecedented success. Not to mention a dozen other top players who graduated and moved on to the next level.
But, as they say, the show must go on, and in the 2018-19 season, we will see which new players and teams can make a name for themselves as they chase region and, hopefully, state titles.
The Lady Wolves in Region 8-5A are considered once again the team to beat but will have to do it this time with a roster of little known, but talented, players. The same for Flowery Branch, which moved down to Region 7-4A after falling to Buford in last year's Class 5A state championship game.
But up-and-coming teams like White County in 7-4A -- the Lady Warriors finished a surprising second in the region last year and return the bulk of their roster -- and Dawson County in Region 7-3A, which will be led by Clemson-commit Kaylee Sticker, are ready to see if they can take the next step.
Add in the mix that five new coaches will roam the sidelines for area girls teams, and new school Cherokee Bluff also brings some unknown elements to the season.
It should be fun to see if teams can start, and in some cases, continue that playoff trend. With that, we offer below our annual basketball previews for all of our 22 area programs.
(NOTES: Teams listed alphabetically. ... For a key on abbreviations scroll to bottom.)
BANKS COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Steve Shedd, 3rd season (44-15 career)
-- REGION: Region 8-2A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 25-6, Region 8-2A champions, reached Class 2A quarterfinals
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 2
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. PF Jaycie Bowen (6-0, 12 ppg, 45% FG, 71% FT, 7 RPG, 2 APG, 2017-2018 8-2A 1st Team All-Region), Amber Williams Sr. PF (6-1, 8 ppg, 43% FG, 64% FT, 8 RPG, 2 BPG, 2017-2018 8-2A 1st Team All-Region), Sr. PG/SG Kailynn Gilstrap (5-6), Jr. SG/PG Heather Vaughan (5-5, Habersham Central transfer, 15 ppg, 2017-2018 8-6A Honorable Mention and All-Tournament Team), Sr. SF/SG Kennedy Smith (5-6)
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Leopards return just two starters from its region championship team but has a variety of players with varsity experience ready to step into starting roles. Habersham transfer Heather Vaughan should add another backcourt shooter and defender to an already talented group. Banks County will continue to look to take advantage of its size but also should be balanced with a solid outside game. The Lady Leopards may be quicker in the backcourt than in recent years and play with a little more tempo on offense. They should be able to build off of last year make another playoff run despite being in a tough and competitive region.
BUFORD
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Gene Durden, 14th year, 346-68 (779-212 career)
-- REGION: 8-5A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 29-3, Region 8-5A champions, Class 5A state champions
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 2
-- KEY PLAYERS: Jr. Combo Guard Tate Walters (All Gwinnett County, 8-5A All-Region), Sr. P Ebony Grant, Sr. W Casey Jones, Jr. PG Gabee Bage, Jr. P Katelyn Klein, So. W Blair Wallis, So. W Sara Viti, So. PG Shy Willis, So. W Abbi Perkins
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Wolves are coming off back-to-back championship seasons but graduated many of the main contributors, like Tory Ozment (Michigan State) and Audrey Weiner (Air Force) from that core group. The 2018-19 team will have many new faces but look for them to continue the Lady Wolves’ tradition and style of play of pressure defense from the full court to the half court to go with their usual fast-paced transition game on offense. A challenging schedule which includes state powers, Norcross, Holy Innocents, Wesleyan, Northview, Newton, and Parkview should prepare the Lady Wolves for another postseason run.
CHESTATEE
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Sutton Shirley, 1st season
-- REGION: 7-4A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 11-18, reached first round Class 4A playoffs
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 3
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. G Christina Garcia, Jr. G Maggie McNair, So. G Emma Easterwood
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady War Eagles continued their playoff streak in 2017 but will be a young, inexperienced group in 2018 in an already tough region that has added Class 5A 2017 state runner-up Flowery Branch. Sutton is their third coach since the beginning of the 2017-18 season so bringing some stability to the program is a priority.
CHEROKEE BLUFF
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Lindsay Justice, 1st season
-- REGION: 7-3A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: New school, inaugural season
-- RETURNING STARTERS: None
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. G Maddie Thomas (12 ppg, 39% from the 3-pt line, Banks County transfer), Jr. P Madi Phillips (scored over 200 points as a So. at White County), Fr. PG Timber Gaither
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Bears will be young overall but do feature a pair of transfers in Thomas and Phillips that could give them some experience and stability. However, they will play in a tough Region 7-3A that is balanced from top to bottom. Justice knows the area well and as an assistant at Flowery Branch helped Newton-Gonzalez build the Lady Falcons into a state power.
DAWSON COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Steve Sweat, 12th season (531-326 career)
-- REGION: 7-3A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 15-13, reached first round Class 3A playoffs
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 3
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. G Kaylee Sticker, Sr. P Anna Lowe, Jr. PG Sophia D'Oliverira
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Tigers return three starters, including Clemson-commit Sticker (17 ppg & 5 rpg). The last two seasons have been a bit rocky, but somehow they've managed to make the playoffs. This season, the expectations are higher. With Sticker, D'Oliverira, and Lowe, the Lady Tigers should make some noise in a tough region. They've made the playoffs six straight seasons. If the team gels together by February, it'll be seven straight.
EAST HALL
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Justin Wheeler, 5th season (89-57 career)
-- REGION: 7-3A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 17-13, Region 7-3A runner-up, reached second round Class 3A playoffs
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 2
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. G Jenny Lopez, Sr. G Ivey Shadburn, Sr. P Maggie Griffin, Sr. C Ashante Peoples
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: Wheeler enters the season for the first time in four years without leading scorer Carly Winters. Winters took her skills to Georgia State. Regardless, Wheeler has an optimistic outlook on the season. The Vikings have a blend of youth and experience, so Wheeler will expect Lopez, Shadburn, Griffin, and Peoples to step up in a leadership role. The Vikings play in a tough Region 7-AAA but are capable of competing at a high level every night. If the Vikings expect to be back in the region title game this season, they'll have to bring their A game every night.
EAST JACKSON
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Donnie Byrom, 1st season (332 career wins)
-- REGION: 8-3A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 10-16, region champs, playoffs, etc
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 3
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. SG Abby Howington, So. PG Kenzie Whitehead, So. P Maurissa Thomas, Fr. G Haven Rollins, Fr. G Julllee Love
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: East Jackson in 11 years has never had a winning season or made the playoffs. The past two teams both won 11 games, which is the school record. Byrom knows about building programs and having success, having led four different teams to the playoffs, and should have the Lady Eagles improving during the season. The depth and lack of size could be an issue in a tough region that already has perennial winners Hart County, Franklin County, plus have added Jefferson. The Lady Eagles could be ready to challenge for a playoff spot by the end of the season.
FLOWERY BRANCH
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Courtney Newton-Gonzalez, 4th season (77-16 career)
-- REGION: 7-4A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 26-7, Lanierland Champions, Region 8-5A runner-up, Class 5A state runner-up
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 3
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. G Caroline Wysocki, Sr. G Ashley Scott, Sr. G Ashley Woodroffe, So. P Ashlee Locke (6-3), So. G Morgan Aguilar. So. G Rylee Rothchild, So. P Abby Whitaker (6-2)
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Falcons are coming off their first state championship game appearance, a tough 60-49 loss Buford. They also moved down to Class 4A with the opening of the new school Cherokee Bluff. They did graduate 4-year starters Taniyah Worth (Alabama) and Lexi Sengkehemmee (Emmanuel College) but also return a group of seniors in the three guards Wysocki, Scott, and Woodroffe, along with Locke, who all started at times during the last season. Add in a trio of sophomores in guards Aguilar and Rylee Rothchild and Whitaker and they have the makings of another roster that should be able to challenge for the region title and beyond. Flowery Branch also will travel to Phoenix, Arizona to play in the 5-day Nike Tournament of Champions in mid-December to take on some the nation's top teams.
GAINESVILLE
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Alan Griffin, Jr., 1st season (spent 9 seasons at Pacelli in Columbus)
-- REGION: 8-6A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 8-18, Class 6A playoffs
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 4
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. PG Tia Shelton (11.2 ppg), Sr. SG Tija Blackwell (15.5 ppg), Sr. SG Courtney Hawks (2.3 ppg before ACL injury), So. G Sadie Roach (5.0 ppg), So. F Lauren Teasley (7.1 rpg), Jr. G Ariah Jeffers, So. G Jada Rucker, So. P Alexis Austin
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Red Elephants will bring a mix of experience and youth into the 2018-19 season. They return starters Shelton, Blackwell, Roach, and Teasley but should have a much deeper bench to go to this season. Shelton and Blackwell provide seasoned leadership in the backcourt. The numbers of the program are way up over the past few seasons, which should help with the growing pains of a coaching change. They face a tough schedule non-region schedule, including Lanierland, but look for them to improve during the season and be competitive in challenging for a playoff spot.
HABERSHAM CENTRAL
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Bill Bradley, 2nd season (470-272 career)
-- REGION: 8-6A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 5-21
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 0
-- KEY PLAYERS: Soph. PG Addie Penick
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Raiders are a very young team. Penick is the only player returning with any varsity experience. The team will have its ups and downs this season in a tough region. Bradley hopes the bumps his team will take early; will pay off by the end of the season.
JACKSON COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Monty McClure, 2nd season
-- REGION: 8-3A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 7-17
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 2
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. F Meaghan Sorrells, Jr. G Carson Anderson, So. Mikenna Duffy
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Panthers will count on freshman and sophomores this season. With only two returning starters, it'll make for a challenging season. But, McClure has a lot of optimism for this team. He was pleased with the development of his underclassmen over the summer. Regardless of youth, expect the Lady Panthers to push the tempo on offense and be aggressive on defense.
JEFFERSON
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Greg Brown, 1st season (172-57 career)
-- REGION: 8-3A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 23-7, Region 8-4A champions, Elite 8 in Class 4A
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 0
-- KEY PLAYERS: So. PG Livi Blackstock, So. SG Allianne Clark, Jr. P Chloe Hiatt, Fr. G Deshona Gaither, Fr. G Natalia Bolden
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: It may be safe to say the Lady Dragons, after a run to the Elite 8 in a very tough Class 4A field last season, is in a rebuilding mode. They have no returning starters and also are sporting a new coaching staff for the first time 12 seasons after Jason Gibson took an administrative job at Dawson County and assistant Chezley Watson took the Flowery Branch boys job. They have depth, though it is inexperienced, and Brown said they will run a high tempo offense. They join an already tough Region 8-3A but if the youngsters progress during the season they could be in a position to make another run at a playoff spot.
JOHNSON
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Jared Hodge, 1st season
-- REGION: 8-5A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 0-25
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 5
-- KEY PLAYERS: Jr. Amy Berry, Sr. Makala Rucker, Jr. Jazmyn Gooch, Jr. Tatiana Teasley, Jr. Katie Dewhirst,
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Knights return a large bulk of players that saw significant minutes last season. Hodge moved over from the baseball team to take over the girls program and he says they have already made major strides in the offseason. However, they are still in a very tough region that featured the state champion (Buford) and state runner-up (Flowery Branch, since moved down to Class 4A) and challenging for a playoff spot with Buford, Clarke Central, Loganville, Walnut Grove and the rest of the region may be a tall order in Hodge's first year.
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: John Carrick, 8th season (137-86 career)
-- REGION: Region 8-A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 17-10, Region 8-A champions, Class A Private playoffs
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 3
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. Sadie Thrailkill (1st team all region), Jr. Jackie Allen (back from ACL injury)
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Lions were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs last year after advancing to the semifinals the season before. They have three returning starters, led by Thrailkill, who is one of the underrated players in the area. They should be able to challenge for the region title once again and make a playoff run.
LUMPKIN COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: David Dowse, 2nd season (182-91 overall)
-- REGION: 7-3A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 9-15
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 4
-- KEY PLAYERS: So. G Isabel Davenport (10.6 ppg, 2.0 apg, 2.1 spg, All-Region Honorable Mention), Sr. G Clara White (5.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg), Sr. F Mackenzie Pulley (14.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, All-Region Team), So. F Makenzie Caldwell, Sr. F Ashlynn Wistoski (2.8 rpg)
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Indians managed to win 9 games last year despite a coaching and philosophy change in the program. Now, Dowse has a core group to work around that has some size and shooting ability. Look for Lumpkin County be among the group of three or four teams to battle for the final two spots.
NORTH HALL
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Kristi House, 9th season (126-78 career)
-- REGION: 7-3A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 16-13, Class 3A playoffs
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 3
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. P Ansleigh Ferguson (averaged a double-double last year), Jr. Grace Hollifield, Jr. PG Maci Gillespie, Sr. Macy Clark, Jr. Ansley Smallwood, Jr. Lauren Swanson, Fr. Rylee McCall
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Trojans made a late run to the playoffs and return several key players from that group. They should be a solid defensive squad and use that create transition baskets. They should be in the mix for another playoff run in a balanced region.
RABUN COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: DeeDee Dillard, 13th season (269-73 career)
-- REGION: 8-2A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 24-7, Elite 8 Class 2A playoff
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 3
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. G Georgia Stockton, Sr. W Brooke Henricks, Sr. G Kaitlin Coleman, Jr. PG Laken Stiles, Jr. P Destiny Deetz, Jr. W Hanna Cannon
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: After playing for a state championship in 2017, the Lady Wildcats slipped back to a third-place finish in Region 8-2A but jelled late and made a run to the quarterfinals. They have more experience and depth coming into this season and Dillard said they could be poised to reclaim a region title and make another deep playoff run. Stockton and Stiles pose one of the more potent backcourts in the area and should be a tough matchup again this season.
TOWN COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Brian Hunnicutt, 2nd season
-- REGION: 8-A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 6-19
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 4
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. SG Taylor Cornett (3 spg, All-Region team), So. W Vanessa Floyd (7 ppg, started every game as a Fr., All-Region team), So. Kennedi Henson (13 ppg before ACL injury ended the season)
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Indians look poised for their first playoff run in five seasons with four starters returning and plenty of experience. Floyd and Henson could be one of the best 1-2 tandems in the region, especially if Henson is 100 percent in her return from injury. Also, 12 of the Lady Indians' losses last year were by 11 points or less.
UNION COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Corey Garrett, 2nd season
-- REGION: 8-2A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 15-10
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 4
-- KEY PLAYERS: Jr. F Andelin Hill (8 ppg, 8 rpg, Honorable Mention 7-3A), Jr. G Brooke Dockrey (8 ppg, 3 rpg, 3 apg), Honorable Mention 7-3A, Jr. F Kait McCarter (12 ppg, 8 rpg), 1st Team All-Region 7-3A, Sr. F Adeline Dockrey (3-year starter)
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Panthers played in a rugged Region 7-3A the past two seasons but were not able to get to the playoffs. They move back down to Region 8-2A this season which features two teams, Banks County and Rabun County, that made it to the Elite 8 in 2017 so it won't get much easier. However, a solid non-region schedule should help prepare them for a tough region. McCarter and Hill give them some size underneath and the Dockrey's give them an experienced backcourt. Garrett said the chemistry and improved depth could help them make a run for a playoff spot.
WEST HALL
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Shawana Harrison, 1st season
-- REGION: 7-4A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 17-11, reached first round Class AAAA playoffs
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 2
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. P Kylie Stasierowski, Jr. F Kinsey Wilson, Jr. G Aashyah White
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Spartans lost their leading scorer Anna Mckendree and Kylie Passmore to graduation. With the pair gone, Harrison expects Wilson, White, and Stasierowski to step up and take the lead. If they do, the Lady Spartans will have a chance to finish in the top four of a tough region. Harrison says they'll play fast and rotate multiple players in the lineup. If Harrison's game plan comes together, the Lady Spartans should be happy with the outcome in February.
WHITE COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Jarvis Davenport, 3rd season, 3rd year (19-32 career)
-- REGION: 7-4A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 14-13, Region 7-4A runner-up, Class 4A playoffs
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 2
-- KEY PLAYERS: So. G Dasha Cannon (13.5 ppg, 1st Team All-Region, All-Tournament team Blue Ridge Classic), Jr. SG Naomi Crumley (10.2 ppg, 2nd Team All-Region, All-Tournament team Blue Ridge Classic), Jr. G Bentley Cronic (Made over 20 3's in 2017), So. G/W Maddie Futch, Jr. G Ellie Gearing (3 rpg, 2 spg in limited action due to injury), Jr. P Rachel Lovell, So. G Madison Adams, (3-point threat), So. G Makenna Moose
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lady Warriors stunned the region last year finishing second in the tournament and also more than doubled their win total from the previous season. And now, they return 8 players from that group. They will feature a small, quick, perimeter shooting offense. Davenport likes to employ a pressing type of defense The Lady Warriors were a year ahead of where Davenport thought they would be this season so look for them to make another run at a region title and as they develop even more confidence they could be a darkhorse team to make a deep run in the playoffs.
-- 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.
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