East Coweta Lady Indians
Coach: Paula Jones
Last year: 4-18

The Lady Indians return three starters from last year’s team, including senior guard Shasta Ellison. Ellison was the team’s best defensive player last year and is looked upon as the team’s leader. She joins Vanessa Colton as the team’s main ball handlers. East Coweta also gets a boost from senior post players Kijuana Holiday, who is a scoring threat on both the inside and outside, and Deretha Puckett. Sophomore Kevi Martin has worked hard in the off season and should contribute on both offense and defense.

East Coweta Indians
Coach: Jason Tidwell
Last year: 22-7

The Indians have made the state playoffs twice in the last three years and they would love to return again this season. Though they graduated five players, Antonio Gates, Brandon Behenna, Julius Hudson and Kendrick Hughley Brown return. They will start the season in the North Hall Invitational over the Thanksgiving break and will face tough region competition throughout the season, playing teams like Mundy’s Mill and county rival, Newnan.

McIntosh Lady Chiefs
Coach: Steve Kidd
Last year: 3-19

The Lady Chiefs return six players to the team this year including Elyse Chubb and Erin Justice. Justice averaged 10.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, while Chubb averaged 6.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and three blocks per game. Other returners are Alex Smith, Taylor Lugash, Elizabeth Hale and Olivia Tucker. To be successful, McIntosh will need big performances from both Chubb and Justice but the team, as a whole, must be patient and execute better on offense. Overall, the Lady Chiefs need to handle the ball better as too many turnovers led to too many points for their opponents.

McIntosh Chiefs
Coach: Jason Eisele
Last year: 5-20

This will be the first year that Eisele has served as the head coach for the Chiefs, but many of the players had worked with him in the past, when he served as an assistant coach with the team. Eisele hopes to place an emphasis on execution and defensive intensity and has been working with the team on putting in a new defensive and offensive system. There are 10 seniors on the team, among them are J.T. Piribek, Cameron Wallis, Maurice Fields and Marcus Chisholm. They will work with the six juniors on the team, Brian Wolfe and KC Erickson among them, on building a winning system.

Northgate Lady Vikings
Coach: Charles Daley
Last year: 6-14

The Lady Vikings will get a late jump on the competition, due to some scheduling quirks. Their first game isn’t until after the Thanksgiving break and their second game will be a week later. They will play in two tournaments over the Christmas break, one before in Oxford, Alabama and one afterwards in Madison, Ga. Coach Daley hopes the tournaments will get his team ready for what is certain to be tough region play in January.

There are four seniors on the team; Carly Wynn, Mary Milton, Ashley Kreskey and T. Jaye Hansen. They will try to lead the five underclassmen to a successful region record and a good showing in the region 4-AAAA tournament.

Northgate Vikings
Coach Evan Horton
Last year: 4-21

Northgate ended last season on a fairly positive note, picking up three of their wins, all region wins, in the final week of the season. Though they were knocked out of the region playoffs in the first round by Villa Rica, there was something left to build on. For instance, two of their final three wins featured their highest scoring totals of the season. They will need a good offense and defense to match up against some of their stronger region opponents, but several of their opponents have graduated a number of players and could be in a rebuilding year.

Starr’s Mill Lady Panthers
Coach: Whitt Jones
Last year: 9-16

The Lady Panthers are shooting for a region title in region 4-AAAAA and would like to reach the state tournament for the second straight year. This year’s squad looks very different from last year’s as two players graduated, one moved to Florida and several others did not try out due to injury.

I think this year's team has the potential to do well,” said Jones. “We have a lot of girls who have worked really hard in the off-season and who want to be a part of the program (something I think is vital). Our team chemistry has been good so far and the girls really have been pushing themselves and each other harder than I have seen in my two previous years. “

Seniors Katie Jacobsen, Emily Woodward, Kirstin Massmann, Meredith Lytle and Krista Morris have done a good job of setting the tone in practices, which is important as the team will be counting on some younger players to step in and contribute valuable minutes.

Starr’s Mill Panthers
Coach: Dave Edinger
Last year: 8-14

The Panthers will utilize a multiple offensive and defensive system, based on solid fundamentals, to compete in the very tough Region 4-5A. The success of the team depends upon unselfish play. The Panthers were able to compete with many more talented teams because of a strong work ethic and the ability to play smart and together. Those qualities will be put to the test after losing four starters from last year's team. Senior Mark Harris, 6’6’, returns to the court this year and is a player to watch. Others are 6’5” senior Nathan Wester and 6’4” senior Bo Tiller.

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