Cats lose 7 seniors, but return top scorer
BY CHARLOTTE SMITH Editor

Members of the varsity Ladycats are, left to right, Shelly Williams, Lauren Clarida, Ericka Taylor, Jordan Knight, Brittani Toole, Kayla Mason, Kaycee Renn, Caroline Perrier and Amber Brown.

The 2006-07 Ladycats will miss the experience of seven graduating seniors, but the squad retains the leadership of first-team all district selection Kayla Mason.

In addition to her all-district honors, Mason also led her team in scoring last year and was considered a team leader, even as a sophomore. "She'll do anything you ask of her on the court. She gives 110 percent," said head coach Willie Hill. "The girls look up to her and respect her. She makes the players around her better."

Mason is joined by Brittani Toole, a second team all district selection last year. The 5'10" senior doubles as a post/forward.

"Brittani is our biggest inside," said Coach Hill, a former boys and women's semi-pro coach with more than 30 years experience. "She's capable and real strong; we just have to give her some help."

Two of the squad's seniors last year were 6" Amy Mulgrew and 6'2" Cassi Taylor, both honorable mentions on the alldistrict team. In addition to experience, the girls took a lot of the team's height with them.

Willie Hill

"My concern is being able to control the boards," said Coach Hill. "I hope our quickness can compensate for our size." Hill said the team will do a lot of running and pressing this year, to take advantage of that quickness and speed.

Other returning seniors are Amber Brown, Lauren Clarida and Ericka Taylor. Rounding out the squad are Jordan Knight and Kaycee Renn, sophomore Shelly Williams and freshman Caroline Perrier.

In addition to quickness, Hill said the team's shooting should help give them the inside/outside game they will need.

Clarida, Williams and Perrier are expected to join Mason in hitting the outside shots.

Although Hill's team missed the playoffs last year, finishing 18-11 overall and 9-5 in District 12- 4A, they had their chances and put in a good effort in the last stretch of the year.

"These girls are not quitters," said Hill, adding that three of his varsity players also participate in the school's successfull volleyball program.

"Winning breeds winning. I hope we can bring some of that tradition over," said Hill.

Hill said Nacogdoches and Hallsville should be strong, but it's anybody's district. "Overall, with what everybody lost last year, it's pretty much equal. On any given night, anybody can beat anybody. It's whoever takes care of business."