Jay Neal
Jacksonville Daily Progress
JACKSONVILLE —
Bullard Lady Panthers
District — 16-3A
Coach — Barry Gill
Last year — 25-10 (8-0)
Key returnees — Bridgette Taylor, Jr.; Brittany Hinton, Jr., Madi Hodges, Jr.; Maddy Slaytor, Soph.
Fast facts: The post Minta Spears era gets under way this year in Bullard with a new coach (Barry Gill) to guide the Lady Panther fortunes...The Lady Panthers traditionally have a strong basketball acumen, but this year's squad will be young and inexperienced for the most part, as Bullard lost five starters off of last year's team to graduation, including Spears who is now playing at Texas Tech.
Rusk Lady Eagles
District — 19-3A
Coach — Baldemar Ruiz
Laet year — 6-17 (2-6)
Key returnees — Kristen Fuller, Jr.; Kelsey Blankinship, Jr.
Fast facts: Rusk's chances at securing the third playoff spot behind Mexia and Fairfield appear to be good as any of the other teams'. If the Lady Eagles can stay injury free, get some timely contributions from some of the newcomers and get hot at the right time good things can happen.
Troup Lady Tigers
District — 18-2A
Coach — Janna Ross
Last year — unavailable
Key returnee — Cheney Cover
Fast facts: The Lady Tigers will be looking to improve under Ross. While probably not a playoff-caliber team this year, with teams like Harmony, Sabine and Frankston in the loop, Troup year-in, year-out has a strong colony of female athletes that are capable of producing solid results.
New Summerfield Lady Hornets
District — 21-A-I
Coach— Josh Faucett
Last year — 18-12 (5-3)
Key returnees — Ramie Weaver, Sr., Maritzza Melendez, Sr., Simone Derrick, Sr., Cindy Medellin, Sr.
Fast facts — The new district is loaded, with three-time state champion (Class 1-A-II) Neches making the move up as well as Wells, who has won three district crowns in-a-row. The Lady Hornets return a nice core, but depth is a concern...Look for New Summerfield and Cushing to battle for the third playoff spot.
Brook Hill Lady Guard
District — TAPPS 3-A, District 4
Coach — Ricky Clements
Last year — 11-12 (4-6)
Key returnees — Alyssa Eden, Sr.; Morgan Fore, Jr.; Riley Williams, Jr., Sam Anderson, Soph.;Hayden Langemeier, Jr.
Fast facts: Brook Hill will be looking to return to the playoffs once again, with Clements bringing back back a handful of key contributors from 2011-12...An improving team that could be poised for a deep playoff run...District is much improved with the addition of Dallas Lutheran and Richardson Canyon Creek, however.
