2009 Bay County girls basketball preview capsules

The 2009-10 Bay County girls basketball preview capsules:

ARNOLD

• Head coach: Bryan Normand, first year
• 2008: 0-19, lost to Wakulla in first round of district tournament.
• Leading returners: Barri Holman (5-6 jr. G), Lianne Canady (5-6 so. G), Jessica Coupe (5-8 jr. G).
• Others to watch: Candice Edmundson (6-0 sr. G), Jennifer Harry (5-8 sr. F), Grace Tennyson (6-1 so. C), JoAnne Booker (5-10 fr. F).
• Key losses: None.
• Notable: Arnold competes in District 1-3A. … there are several new faces on the team, including Normand. … he wants the Marlins to be fundamentally sound on both offense and defense, run the floor well and attack the basket.
• Quotable: “This is an outstanding group of girls that have worked hard preparing for the season. We expect to surprise some people and turn the Arnold program around. They are already winners in my book.” — Bryan Normand.

COVENANT

• Head coach: Ty Farris, fourth year
• 2009: 23-7, PCC East Region champion, PCC champion, third at NACA national tournament (Div III).
• Leading returners: Rachel Phelps, Hannah Dobernig, Olivia Dew, Rebecca Farris, Lea McWilliams, Hilliary Smith.
• Others to watch: Katelynn Robertson
• Key losses: Haley Sheffield, Chelsea McDill, Jessica Paris, Heather Smith
• Notable: The Lady Lions opened the season in Pensacola on Friday with a 67-36 win over SL Jones. Their schedule includes 14 non-conference games.
• Quotable:“We are a relatively young team this season and not as deep as we’ve been in the past, and because of that, I think the girls are determined to prove they can compete at the same level. Emerging leadership and maturity will ultimately determine our level of success.” — Ty Farris

MOSLEY

• Head coach:  Steve Canfield, sixth year.
• 2008: 17-11, District 2-5A runner-up. Eliminated in regional quarterfinals by Pine Forest.
• Leading returners: Octavia Langston (sr. SF), Mia Martello (sr. C), Kierra West (sr. SF), Deanna Canfield (so. PF), Tasha Trzaska (so. SG).
• Others to watch: Paris Lovette (sr. C), Chaunte Williams (jr. SG), Alexis Ware (fr. PG), Segovia Goodin (fr. PF), Kristun Tullier (fr. PG), Hazel White (fr. SF).
• Key losses: Christy White, Beth Stephens, Ashley Cluverhouse
• Notable: Mosley competes this season in 2-5A with Fort Walton Beach, Niceville and Crestview. … the Dolphins return five players including senior Octavia Langston, third-team all-state and county MVP. She led the Dolphins her junior year with 520 points, 320 rebounds, 102 steals and 65 blocked shots and already holds the carrer block record of 162. Sophomore Deanna Canfield had a varsity breakout season as a freshman with 321 points and 289 rebounds.
• Quotable: “We have a five players returning from last season and six new players added to the varsity, including four freshmen. We are young and trying to find a new team identity and chemistry. So far the girls are one of the hardest working teams I have coached at Mosley and with the senior leadership I expect them to make improvements quickly.” — Steve Canfield

Rutherford

• Head Coach: Chris Small
• 2008: 2-13
• Returning starters: Nicole Daniels (sr. F), Meagan Thorpe (jr. F), Jasmine Threat (jr. G).
• Others to watch: Courtney Adams (jr. C), Lakia Snowden (so. G), Cherelle Hamilton (sr. G).
• Key Losses: Samantha Gill
• Notable: Allen Kelly and Jennifer Spikes are assistant coaches.
• “This is the most disciplined and hardest-working squad we’ve had since I’ve been the coach. We have some ability at spots, but lack a true scorer. It will take a complete team effort, but I look for us to be competitive in all of our games and to improve each week.” — Chris Small.