The News and Tribune - 2009-10 Girls Basketball Preview

Rock Creek says it sees more wins coming
Rock Creek Christian Academy has won seven games over the past three season, including just one a year ago.
Yet, Lion coach Bill Paro said there is reason for optimism in 2009-10.
“I think I’ve got it pretty easy this year, because we had one victory last year and we can’t do anything but get better,” he said.
Pioneers ahead of the game
While he’s only in his second year as a head coach of the Providence girls’ basketball team, Pioneer coach Brad Burden can already say his team is far ahead of where it sat one season ago.
And the reason is simple.
Mustangs dealing with something different
Terry White is dealing with something he has rarely had to worry about in his 11 years as New Washington head girls’ basketball coach — inexperience.
This season’s Mustang squad has no seniors and only three players with significant varsity experience.
New Albany must get faster
Last season in her first campaign as New Albany head girls’ basketball coach, Amanda Carmichael had two assets with her team — experience and size.
She had an athletic senior forward in 5-foot-10 Brandi Waller and an experienced point guard in Britany Sutton. Carmichael also had seniors Hali Alexander, Lindsay Johnson and Iesha Maffett.
Red Devils in a rare spot
Few coaches have the same luxury that Jeffersonville girls’ basketball coach Chad Gilbert enjoys as he enters season No. 10 with the Red Devils this season.
“We actually do have everybody back,” said Gilbert. “There will be times when coaches say they have everybody back, but we have 100 percent of the kids that were our program last year will be back. You can’t put on a price on how valuable that type of experience can be.”
Newfound depth, athleticism could spark Hornets
The Henryville girls’ basketball team hopes adding two things this season may help the squad bounce back from last year’s 10-13 campaign.
This year’s Hornets are both deeper and more athletic than last year’s version, and Guernsey says those two ingredients could go a long time in making this year’s team a contender.
Highlanders won't be hindered by late arrivals
Having a successful volleyball program is a double-edged sword for Floyd Central’s girls’ basketball program.
On the one side, the Highlanders are four weeks behind most of the other teams in the area. On the other, Highlander coach Joe Voelker will welcome three stellar state-level athletes back next week.
Charlestown plans on cutting some nets
Charlestown coach Tony Hall isn’t bashful. He tells it like he sees it, and this year he envisions championships for his Pirates.
His squad consists of four returning starters from last year’s 10-12 club, and he expects vast improvement during the 2009-10 season.
Clarksville focused on getting better
Clarksville coach Troy Mitchell expects improvement in the 2009-10 season after his Generals went 3-18 last season.
Mitchell would like for his team to improve on its three wins, but he won’t measure the improvement on victories and defeats. Instead, the ninth-year coach is looking for more intangible signs of development.

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