Preseason all-county picks have top talent
Here are my picks for the 2005-06 Girl's Preseason All-County Basketball Team:
All-County 1st Team
Guard - Michelle Swiec (5-foot-6-inches, Soph. Greenbrier)
Swiec is starting to get statewide fame. Last season, she showed tremendous improvement on the offensive end of the floor by becoming a go-to scorer for the Pack on her way to being named the County Player of the Year. She has a chance to put together one of the finest careers of any girls player in county history. Last season, she averaged 17 points per game and six assists as she led Greenbrier to a 23-8 record and the Elite Eight in the AAAA State Tournament (both school records). She should be a contender for All-State honors this season.
Guard - Jordan Little (5-foot-6-inches, Sr., Augusta Christian)
Little emerged last season as one of the area's top scoring threats and long-range shooters. She helped guide the Lady Lions to a 16-10 mark and a spot in the SCISA State Tournament. Little averaged 16 points per game and six assists. She already owns several school records for 3-point shooting; expect her to chase more records this season.
Guard - April Woodard (5-foot-9-inches, Sr., Harlem)
Woodard is one of the area's most talented players. Last season, she averaged 17 points per game and led the Lady Bulldogs in virtually every offensive category. She is a solid college prospect and should have a monster senior season. She will challenge Swiec and Lewis from Greenbrier for county player of the year honors.
Forward - Melissa Lewis (5-foot-9-inches, Sr., Greenbrier)
Lewis has been the model of consistency the past two seasons for Greenbrier. She and teammate Lewis averaged 17 points per game and nine rebounds last season. She is one of the main reasons the Lady Pack racked up 23 wins and a spot in the AAAA State Quarterfinals. She also has a chance to play on the college level after this season. Lewis' inside scoring will be key if Greenbrier plans to make a run at a region title.
Forward - Sarah Beth McKinney (5-foot-9-inches, Sr., Augusta Christian)
McKinney is one of the area's top rebounders. Last season, she pulled down 13 boards per contest, which led the county. She has established several school records in rebounding and has become a valuable inside scorer. With most of their top players back, expect ACS to be a contender in the SCISA AAA ranks.
Honorable Mention
Lynlee Satcher - point guard, Augusta Christian
Larrie Reece - guard, Augusta Christian
Perrin Fryer - point guard, Lakeside
Alex Cassagnol - forward, Lakeside
Essence Nixon - guard, Lakeside
Kacee Camp - point guard, Harlem
Tamika Tanksley - forward, Harlem
Lauren Middleton - center, Evans
Janay Moore - point guard, Evans
Tynisha Butler - guard, Evans
Brooke Jackson - guard, Greenbrier
Tiffany Blackburn - guard/forward, Greenbrier
Sarah Oland - guard, Greenbrier
Brittney Leverette - forward, Greenbrier
Team Rankings
1. Greenbrier - 23-8 last season, should contend for region title and go deep in the state playoffs. The Lady Pack squad is well coached, extremely talented and they have been together for several years. All of that equals plenty of wins in 2005-06.
2. Harlem - Won 11 games last season. They should improve that mark because Woodard has some help this season.
3. Augusta Christian - The Lady Lions have virtually everyone back from their 16-win team from a year ago. ACS should be one of the top teams in the SCISA AAA ranks.
4. Evans - The Lady Knights won just five games last season, but with Lauren Middleton and Tynisha Butler a year older, hopefully the Lady Knights can improve on that mark.
5. Lakeside - The Lady Panthers suffered through a tough season a year ago by winning only two games. They will struggle again this season, but with experienced point guard play from Perrin Fryer, they could improve on that mark.
6. Augusta Prep - The Lady Cavaliers graduated all of their key contributors from last season. In 2005-06 the going might be tough. Mary Beth Horton and Monica Ploetzke will have to pick up the scoring load if Prep is to have some success.