The Galveston County Daily News

District 24-5A

Ball High

• COACH: Wayne Green, second season

• LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 4-20 overall, 2-12 district

• LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2008

• RETURNING PLAYERS: Six, three starters

• KEY RETURNEES: Ashlee Hypolite (Sr., forward), Kristle Hollins (Sr., center), Laura Johnson (Sr., guard)

• OUTLOOK: After going through some rocky points in Green’s first season as head coach, the Lady Tors are thinking about the postseason this year.

“It’s realistic to set a goal of making the playoffs,” Green said. “We have some experience coming back. The girls have been in the heat and know what to expect this year.”

The strength of the team figures to be its post game, where the “Twin Towers,” Hypolite and Hollins, are back for another season. Green said the duo has a chance to be dominant on any given night.

“If I can get a double-double out of them, the sky is the limit,” Green said. “We also have a lot more speed to compliment those two, so we’ll be a lot better offensively and be able to press on defense.”

• FIRST GAME: Tuesday vs. Beaumont Central

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Clear Creek

• COACH: Jana Williams, sixth season

• LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 20-12, 11-3

• LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2009, lost in first round

• RETURNING PLAYERS: Six, three starters

• KEY RETURNEES: Kaylin Dugie (Sr., guard), Nyha Carter (Sr., post), Adrienne Phillips (Jr., post)

• OUTLOOK: The Wildcats return a lot from last year’s playoff squad, but must find a way to replace star guard Chelsea Soloninka. Williams said while Soloninka is a big loss, she actually thinks this team could be deeper and more balanced than last season.

“We have some newcomers at guard that are looking good, and of course we have Nyha and Adrienne in the post,” Williams said. “We’ve got a team where it could be any kid on any given day that steps up for us.”

Carter is the reigning 24-5A defensive MVP, after averaging 6.8 points and 7.9 rebounds last season. Added with four-year starter Dugie running the point (10.1 points, 3.9 assists), the Lady Wildcats will not be lacking in leadership.

“I’ve seen those kids grow into leaders the past few years,” Williams said. “Nyha has become more of a vocal leader, and Dugie is ready to put the team on her back.

“It’s going to be a tough district, but these girls like being underdogs. We feel like we’re going to be a really good team and be in position to make the playoffs again.”

• FIRST GAME: Tuesday vs. Deer Park

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Clear Springs

• COACH: Pamela Crawford, third season

• LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 21-13, 11-3

• LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2009, advanced to second round

• RETURNING PLAYERS: Nine, four starters

• KEY RETURNEES: Valerie Oswald (Sr., forward), Dallis Cannon (Sr., center), Morgan Kilgore (Sr., guard), Jessica Te’o (Sr., post), Taylor Sweet (Sr., guard)

• OUTLOOK: The Lady Chargers will be without star point guard Mileka Loydrake, who is out for the season with a torn knee ligament. Despite the loss, they return enough talent to compete for the district title.

• FIRST GAME: Tuesday vs. Dawson

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Dickinson

• COACH: Wendy Tucker, second season

• LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 11-19, 5-9

• LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2008

• RETURNING PLAYERS: Five, three starters

• KEY RETURNEES: Tynesha Harris (Jr., guard), Ariel Scott (Sr., guard), Brittany Simmons (Jr., guard)

• OUTLOOK: After back-to-back Class 4A state runner-up finishes, the Lady Gators had a rebuilding year in their first season in 5A. Playing a rough schedule, Tucker said the girls definitely took their lumps.

“Sometimes the best experience you can get is on the job,” Tucker said. “These girls unfortunately had to learn by being blown out and scored on. But I think it helped them mature. They are learning to keep their emotions in check.”

Dickinson is loaded with guards, including Scott and Simmons who were second-team all-district picks. Tucker said the team will take advantage of that speed by playing an up-tempo game.

“We are not very big, so we are going to focus on our speed,” Tucker said. “That is going to be our niche, and I think it will definitely keep us in the mix of things in the district.”

• FIRST GAME: Monday vs. Santa Fe

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District 24-4A

Friendswood

• COACH: Kirby Killingsworth, third season

• LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 29-6, 13-1

• LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2009, advanced to regional quarterfinals

• RETURNING PLAYERS: Five, four starters

• KEY RETURNEES: Annalisa Hall (Sr., guard), Kellsey Kaufhold (Jr., center), Taylor Wilson (Sr., forward), J.C. Woodard (Sr., forward).

• OUTLOOK: With four starters returning from last year’s district champion squad, including 24-4A co-MVP Hall (16 points, 6 steals, 5 assists), the Lady Mustangs should again compete for the league crown.

“At moments I feel we are going to be really good,” Killingsworth said. “At others, I am scared to death. I think we have the potential to be better than last year’s team, but our record may not show that at first.”

The Lady Mustangs will be missing three players for a little while longer because of the volleyball playoffs. When those players return, they will feature seven players who are 5-foot-10 or taller.

Yet despite all of that, Friendswood may not even be the favorite in the district. That title could belong to La Marque.

“It is kind of weird having four starters from a district title team and maybe not being the favorite,” Killingsworth said. “I’m OK with that, though. I don’t want us being too comfortable, and I’m making sure the kids know La Marque is the team to beat.”

• FIRST GAME: Monday vs. Dobie

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La Marque

• COACH: Tawana Rhoads, second season

• LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 16-12, 10-4

• LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2009, advanced to second round

• RETURNING PLAYERS: 10, five starters

• KEY RETURNEES: Jaleesa Allen (Sr., forward), Jessieka Palmer (So., forward), Brianna Lewis (Jr., guard), Precious Payne (Sr., guard), K’iana Promise (Sr., forward)

• OUTLOOK: With two returning first-team all-district selections in Allen (18.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, 24-4A co-MVP) and Palmer (10.4 points, 8.4 rebounds), the Lady Cougars are thinking big this season.

“I am a lot more confident in what we can accomplish this year,” Rhoads said. “The young ladies know what to expect from me, and I know what to expect from them. We all grew together last year, and the girls carried that over into the summer with hard work.”

Talentwise, it could be hard to find a 4A team better than La Marque in the region. Rhoads hopes the Lady Cougars back up that talent with a good attitude.

“All of the girls have defined roles this year and they believe in each other,” Rhoads said. “We feel like we have the talent to win district and go far in the playoffs. I think they are hungry for this, but they have to stay mentally tough the whole season.”

• FIRST GAME: Tuesday at La Porte

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Santa Fe

• COACH: Ben Law, first season

• LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 8-23, 2-12

• LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2007

• RETURNING PLAYERS: Four, two starters

• KEY RETURNEES: Valerie Parnell (Sr., SF), Paige Sonnier (Sr., PF)

• OUTLOOK: The Lady Indians are on their fifth head coach in the past four seasons. Law said in his first season with the team, he’s trying to make it a better environment for the players.

“The seniors have told me that they feel like it is a family atmosphere for the first time in their careers,” Law said. “That’s resulted in them working really hard and getting excited for the season.”

Santa Fe is missing two post players who are participating in the volleyball playoffs. Until they return, the Lady Indians will rely on Sonnier and Parnell to carry the squad.

“Valerie may not be a vocal leader, but she brings it every night,” Law said. “She’s deadly from 3-point range and is our most athletic player. Paige is the type of player every coach wants. She won’t score a lot of points, but she does all the little things in the post. She’s the glue for us.”

When the volleyball players return to the court, Law said the team will have a lot better depth. He said he expects the girls to be competitive every night in a tough district.

• FIRST GAME: Monday at Dickinson

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Texas City

• COACH: Dave Ward, fourth season

• LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 7-24, 3-10

• LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2003

• RETURNING PLAYERS: Five, three starters

• KEY RETURNEES: Ashley Artis (Jr., guard), Shelby Richardson (Sr., forward), Raven Brown (Sr., forward)

• OUTLOOK: For the second straight year, the Lady Stings will be small and quick. Ward said the team will attempt to make each game into an up-tempo affair.

“It’s not brain surgery,” Ward said. “If you are little and quick, you need to use that to your advantage. If we get into a half-court game, our lack of size will hurt us. So we’re going to run whenever we can.”

Richardson (12.6 points, 7.8 rebounds) is the reigning 24-4A newcomer of the year and a first-team all-district selection. With Richardson and several other experienced players, Ward is hoping the Lady Stings can make it to the playoffs for the first time in seven years.

“With our schedule, we’ll find out right away what type of team we’ll be,” Ward said. “I think we will be in the mix for that fourth spot. It’s not an easy district, but we are excited and optimistic about our chances.”

• FIRST GAME: Tuesday vs. Pasadena

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District 29-2A

Hitchcock

• COACH: Melynda Moulden, second season

• LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 23-9, 8-2

• LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2009, regional semifinals

• RETURNING PLAYERS: Seven, four starters

• KEY RETURNEES: Jasmine Beard (Sr., center), Karissa Garner (Jr., guard), Laderricka Eden (Sr., guard), Raven Alexander (Jr., forward)

• OUTLOOK: With seven players returning from last year’s regional semifinalist, the Lady Bulldogs are setting their goals high this year.

“We are going to take state,” Moulden boldly predicted. “That’s what we are shooting for. We got a taste of success last year. Now we are trying to go all the way.”

Beard (18.5 points, 11.5 rebounds) is a returning first-team all-county selection, while Garner (10.9 points, 6.1 assists) made second-team. Hitchcock also figures to have a deeper bench with 10 varsity players and a few more who likely will be brought up in time for the postseason.

“Everyone’s mind is on making it to state,” Moulden said. “I’m so proud of how far the girls have come since I took over last year. There is no attitude and everyone gets along and plays as a team. I see no reason why we can’t accomplish all of our goals this year.”

• FIRST GAME: Tuesday vs. Rayburn