The Shelby Valley Lady Cats have a new head coach while the boys team looks to rebound after missing the regional tournament last season.
Gone are the “Phenom” Cassidy Rowe and her father former Head Coach Doe Doe Rowe from last season. Although there are changes, look for Shelby Valley to still be a challenger to the 59th District title. Enter new Head Coach Mikie Hall. Hall has big shoes to fill as the Lady Cats finished last season 22-10 and runner up in the 59th District.
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING – The Lady Cats will have one senior this upcoming season. Kyra Looney was the teams third leading scorer last season with an average of 7.8 points per game.
The Lady Cats will rely heavily on Zoe Johsnon and Jazzy Meade this upcoming season. Johnson averaged 6.7 points per game and Meade 4.8 points per game.
The Lady Cats will be a young group and 8th grader Sadie Johnson will play big minutes for Coach Hall’s team.
KEY LOSSES – The Dynamic Duo for the Lady Cats have graduated. First the “Phenom” Cassidy Rowe is now playing for UK. Last season Rowe averaged 16.1 points per game on 40.5% shooting from behind the arc. Alyssa Elswick , is now enrolled at Thomas Moore. Elswick averaged a team high 16.5 points per game and nearly 8 rebounds per contest. Both ladies had been starters for multiple seasons. The leadership of these two will be greatly missed.
FINAL THOUGHTS – Although the Lady Cats has a great deal of talent, they will be extremely young. Coach Hall will work diligently getting these ladies ready to make a run at another District title.
When you think of Shelby Valley boys basketball you think of dominance and a regional contender. Last season was a difficult one for the Wildcats. Although their record was 16-10 , the team lost in the opening round of the district to East Ridge and missed the Regional tournament.
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING – A balanced offensive attack led the Wildcats last season and we look move of the same of 2022-2023. Junior Collier Fuller led the Wildcats in scoring last season. Collier averaged 10.7 PPG. Chaz Brown, Junior continues to work on his game over the summer. Brown has one of the best step back jumpers in the region and he used this move to average 9.8 points per game. The Wildcats will rely on several others to help with the scoring load such as Preston Johnson (9.4 PPG), Russ Osborne (8.6 PPG ) and Caleb Lovins (8.5 PPG and 6.7 RPG). Speaking of Lovins, Shelby Valley may have arguably the best front court in the 15th Region with Lovins and Riley Phillips.
KEY LOSSES – Shelby Valley lost no players to graduation or transfers.
FINAL THOUGHTS – No one leaving from last years squad is why Shelby Valley is one of the few team picked to challenge Pikeville for the 15th Region Title. Shelby Valley has depth and a balanced offensive attack that will be problems for most team. The two regular season match ups with Pikeville will definitely be fun to watch.
Photos submitted
