Four starters returnto boost Lady Wildcats

The Anna-Jonesboro High School girl’s basketball team should be improved in all aspects of its game this season.

“We have a lot of speed this year,” A-J coach George Lenon said. “The kids have been in the weight room (during the offseason) so we’ll be a lot stronger rebounding and we’ll be better shooters than last year.”

The Lady Wildcats return four starters from last year’s 7-19 squad.

Returning is the team’s leading scorer, senior Kaylee Little, a 6-0, center, who was a Southern Illinois River-to-River Conference Mississippi Division all-conference pick last year. She averaged 9 points a game.

The other returners are junior Destiny Dillow, a 5-7 guard, and sophomores Emma Basler, a 5-8 forward, and sophomore Jesse Stone, a 6-0, center/forward.

“With our experience coming back we should be competitive,” Lenon said.

Another player expected to contribute is senior Rachel Hayden, a 5-9, guard, who didn’t play last season. Lenon said she should be a 3-point shooting threat.

Another junior who could see action is Tina Grant, a 5-6 guard.

Sophomores on the varsity are Taylor Adkins, a 5-6 guard, who transfered from Century High School, and Lauren Holshouser, a 5-6 forward.

Freshman Chandra Parr, a 5-7 guard, could also contribute.

“We’re still a young team,” Lenon said. “Hopefully, we’ll surprise some people this year.”

Lenon looks to Nashville and Sparta as the powers in the conference this season.

The Lady Wildcats open their season next week in the Harrisburg tournament.

“We’re hoping to get two wins there,” Lenon said. “We were 0-4 there last year.”

A-J opens its season in the tourney Tuesday, Nov. 24, against the host Lady Bulldogs at 7:30 p.m.

A-J opens its regular season at Pinckneyville Dec. 1.