The Scribe
11-25-2006, 06:05 PM
Sixth Region
By Charles Taylor
Special to Bluegrasspreps.com
Iroquois has downed Butler six times in eight meetings during the past two seasons, ousting the Bearettes in the Sixth Region final both seasons.
Now, both teams are back and loaded again but there’s a third squad – Fairdale – who is hoping to join the party this postseason.
And coaches in the region agree.
Iroquois is a slight pick to win the title, followed closely by Butler and Fairdale in a region that is getting stronger and more balanced each season.
Holy Cross and Bullitt East are two other teams that could challenge.
1. IROQUOIS LADY RAIDERS – LaQuisha “French Fry’ Wharton started for five seasons and helped turn the program around. Now, she’s off to college but the Lady Raiders still have plenty of talent in the fold.
Four starters return from last year’s second straight Sixth Region championship team, including sensational sophomores Adia and Asia Mathies, Kayla Hickman and Stafonia Taylor. All have started for at least two years.
The Mathies sisters are four-year starters and still only sophomores. Adia Mathies was the regional Player of the Year two years ago and made honorable mention All-State last season as a freshman.
The Lady Raiders made it to the Sweet 16 two years ago and lost to eventual runner-up Clinton County in the second round, while losing to eventual runner-up Rose Hill in the semifinals last season.
Coach Al Northington is in his eighth year at the school and is hoping the sophomore class can help the school take it a step farther at the Sweet 16 this season.
Iroquois certainly has the talent to get there.
2. BUTLER BEARETTES – The Bearettes made it to the Sweet 16 in 2003 and ’04 but have been ousted by Iroquois two years in a row.
Now, coach Terri Keown has her team primed to return to the big dance.
Butler returns four starters, including one of the state’s top juniors in Tia Gibbs. The 5-foot-8 wing led Butler in points, rebounds, assists and steals last season when she averaged 19.5 points and 6.7 rebounds.
Gibbs is one of the frontrunners for Miss Basketball next season and should carry the Bearettes to a lot of victories this winter.
But she also has plenty of help.
Tiara Hopper averaged 10 points and six rebounds as a freshman and will be a force in the middle, while junior Kara Pile is a solid guard.
3. FAIRDALE LADY BULLDOGS – The young Lady Bulldogs still only have one senior on the roster, but all five starters are back for coach Larry Bruner.
The Lady Bulldogs also have one of the state’s top juniors in Ceira Ricketts, who is in her fifth year of varsity ball and averaged 16.6 points last season. Ricketts has already scored over 2,000 points during her career.
Senior Whitley Briggs averaged 16 points and nine rebounds last season, while Waynisha Mack, Brittney Wieber and Nicole Mills are other solid players back in the fold. Fairdale also has some experience on the bench.
The Lady Bulldogs went 25 years without winning 20 games, ending that drought last season. Now, coach Bruner thinks this squad can get the regional title.
4. HOLY CROSS COUGARS – A trend with the top teams in the region continues, as the Cougars top player is an underclassman.
Elizabeth Shuler averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds as a sophomore and the 5-10 post is one of the region’s prime-time performers. She was named to the All-Region team and helped Holy Cross end the season winning nine of its final 13 games.
Jessica McGohon, Megan Davis and Kristen Boone are other keys.
5. BULLITT EAST LADY CHARGERS – The Lady Chargers could be one of the surprise teams of the region this season with solid guard play and experience.
Whitney Hanley is a 5-9 junior and one of the top guards in the region, while junior Kellie Harrod is also solid at the position. Kelli Thompson, Kathleen Thompson and Jennifer Fletcher are strong on the frontline.
6. BULLITT CENTRAL LADY COUGARS – Coach Bryan Bates lost three seniors from last year’s 18-win squad but does have one of the region’s top players.
Senior Jesse Mattingly is a 5-10 post player who averaged 14 points and nine rebounds as a junior. She should average a double-double this season and is likely to be a small-college player next season.
Junior Renee Smith and sophomore Lindsay Hester and Sarah Anderson will be asked to help fill some of the void from the loss to graduation.
7. PRP LADY PANTHERS – The Lady Panthers have their third coach in as many years as Buddy Fluhr takes over a team that won 17 games last season.
But only five players are back with experience, including junior guard Jersharra Lewis. She averaged 11.9 points four rebounds and four assists.
Jessica Manning is a senior leader and should average double figures.
8. NORTH BULLITT LADY EAGLES – With five returning starters, North Bullitt makes the Bullitt County trio a solid one this season.
Coach Bill Robinette expects his team to be more high-scoring and better on defense this campaign. Erin Keith, Katie Hardy, Amber Thompson, Krista Price and Allison Rowe all started as sophomores and return.
9. PRESENTATION TOPPERS – In his fifth season, coach David Jackson has more experience than his team has possessed in recent seasons. With nine or 10 players who can contribute, look for the Toppers to surpass last year’s 14-win total.
Alden Krausse and Emily Conklin are the top returnees.
Top Players
1. Tia Gibbs, Butler, 5-8, Jr.
Comment: Miss Basketball 2008? Yes, she’s that good.
2. Adia Mathies, Iroquois, 5-9, So.
Comment: Miss Basketball 2009? She might be more talented than Gibbs?
3. Ceira Ricketts, Fairdale, 5-9, Jr.
Comment: Several in-state Division I schools love her game.
4. Whitley Briggs, Fairdale, 5-8, Sr.
Comment: All-around solid player for Lady Bulldogs
5. Asia Mathies, Iroquois, 5-5, So.
Comment: Only thing she is missing from her sister’s game is height.
6. Tiara Hopper, Butler, 5-10, So.
Comment: Might have the most raw talent of anybody in Louisville.
7. Elizabeth Shuler, Holy Cross, 5-10, Jr.
Comment: Came on strong in the end last season.
8. Whitney Hanley, Bullitt East, 5-9, Jr.
Comment: Solid guard tops good Bullitt County contingent.
9. Kayla Hickman, Iroquois, 5-7, So.
Comment: Shooter, passer and all-around solid player.
10. Stafonia Taylor, 5-6, So.
Comment: The best long-ranger shooter in the region.
By Charles Taylor
Special to Bluegrasspreps.com
Iroquois has downed Butler six times in eight meetings during the past two seasons, ousting the Bearettes in the Sixth Region final both seasons.
Now, both teams are back and loaded again but there’s a third squad – Fairdale – who is hoping to join the party this postseason.
And coaches in the region agree.
Iroquois is a slight pick to win the title, followed closely by Butler and Fairdale in a region that is getting stronger and more balanced each season.
Holy Cross and Bullitt East are two other teams that could challenge.
1. IROQUOIS LADY RAIDERS – LaQuisha “French Fry’ Wharton started for five seasons and helped turn the program around. Now, she’s off to college but the Lady Raiders still have plenty of talent in the fold.
Four starters return from last year’s second straight Sixth Region championship team, including sensational sophomores Adia and Asia Mathies, Kayla Hickman and Stafonia Taylor. All have started for at least two years.
The Mathies sisters are four-year starters and still only sophomores. Adia Mathies was the regional Player of the Year two years ago and made honorable mention All-State last season as a freshman.
The Lady Raiders made it to the Sweet 16 two years ago and lost to eventual runner-up Clinton County in the second round, while losing to eventual runner-up Rose Hill in the semifinals last season.
Coach Al Northington is in his eighth year at the school and is hoping the sophomore class can help the school take it a step farther at the Sweet 16 this season.
Iroquois certainly has the talent to get there.
2. BUTLER BEARETTES – The Bearettes made it to the Sweet 16 in 2003 and ’04 but have been ousted by Iroquois two years in a row.
Now, coach Terri Keown has her team primed to return to the big dance.
Butler returns four starters, including one of the state’s top juniors in Tia Gibbs. The 5-foot-8 wing led Butler in points, rebounds, assists and steals last season when she averaged 19.5 points and 6.7 rebounds.
Gibbs is one of the frontrunners for Miss Basketball next season and should carry the Bearettes to a lot of victories this winter.
But she also has plenty of help.
Tiara Hopper averaged 10 points and six rebounds as a freshman and will be a force in the middle, while junior Kara Pile is a solid guard.
3. FAIRDALE LADY BULLDOGS – The young Lady Bulldogs still only have one senior on the roster, but all five starters are back for coach Larry Bruner.
The Lady Bulldogs also have one of the state’s top juniors in Ceira Ricketts, who is in her fifth year of varsity ball and averaged 16.6 points last season. Ricketts has already scored over 2,000 points during her career.
Senior Whitley Briggs averaged 16 points and nine rebounds last season, while Waynisha Mack, Brittney Wieber and Nicole Mills are other solid players back in the fold. Fairdale also has some experience on the bench.
The Lady Bulldogs went 25 years without winning 20 games, ending that drought last season. Now, coach Bruner thinks this squad can get the regional title.
4. HOLY CROSS COUGARS – A trend with the top teams in the region continues, as the Cougars top player is an underclassman.
Elizabeth Shuler averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds as a sophomore and the 5-10 post is one of the region’s prime-time performers. She was named to the All-Region team and helped Holy Cross end the season winning nine of its final 13 games.
Jessica McGohon, Megan Davis and Kristen Boone are other keys.
5. BULLITT EAST LADY CHARGERS – The Lady Chargers could be one of the surprise teams of the region this season with solid guard play and experience.
Whitney Hanley is a 5-9 junior and one of the top guards in the region, while junior Kellie Harrod is also solid at the position. Kelli Thompson, Kathleen Thompson and Jennifer Fletcher are strong on the frontline.
6. BULLITT CENTRAL LADY COUGARS – Coach Bryan Bates lost three seniors from last year’s 18-win squad but does have one of the region’s top players.
Senior Jesse Mattingly is a 5-10 post player who averaged 14 points and nine rebounds as a junior. She should average a double-double this season and is likely to be a small-college player next season.
Junior Renee Smith and sophomore Lindsay Hester and Sarah Anderson will be asked to help fill some of the void from the loss to graduation.
7. PRP LADY PANTHERS – The Lady Panthers have their third coach in as many years as Buddy Fluhr takes over a team that won 17 games last season.
But only five players are back with experience, including junior guard Jersharra Lewis. She averaged 11.9 points four rebounds and four assists.
Jessica Manning is a senior leader and should average double figures.
8. NORTH BULLITT LADY EAGLES – With five returning starters, North Bullitt makes the Bullitt County trio a solid one this season.
Coach Bill Robinette expects his team to be more high-scoring and better on defense this campaign. Erin Keith, Katie Hardy, Amber Thompson, Krista Price and Allison Rowe all started as sophomores and return.
9. PRESENTATION TOPPERS – In his fifth season, coach David Jackson has more experience than his team has possessed in recent seasons. With nine or 10 players who can contribute, look for the Toppers to surpass last year’s 14-win total.
Alden Krausse and Emily Conklin are the top returnees.
Top Players
1. Tia Gibbs, Butler, 5-8, Jr.
Comment: Miss Basketball 2008? Yes, she’s that good.
2. Adia Mathies, Iroquois, 5-9, So.
Comment: Miss Basketball 2009? She might be more talented than Gibbs?
3. Ceira Ricketts, Fairdale, 5-9, Jr.
Comment: Several in-state Division I schools love her game.
4. Whitley Briggs, Fairdale, 5-8, Sr.
Comment: All-around solid player for Lady Bulldogs
5. Asia Mathies, Iroquois, 5-5, So.
Comment: Only thing she is missing from her sister’s game is height.
6. Tiara Hopper, Butler, 5-10, So.
Comment: Might have the most raw talent of anybody in Louisville.
7. Elizabeth Shuler, Holy Cross, 5-10, Jr.
Comment: Came on strong in the end last season.
8. Whitney Hanley, Bullitt East, 5-9, Jr.
Comment: Solid guard tops good Bullitt County contingent.
9. Kayla Hickman, Iroquois, 5-7, So.
Comment: Shooter, passer and all-around solid player.
10. Stafonia Taylor, 5-6, So.
Comment: The best long-ranger shooter in the region.