Eaglettes search for new scorers

As the 2009-10 basketball season approaches for Shelbyville Central's Golden Eaglettes, coach Lynn Burkey's top priority is to find a way to replace the team's top two scorers from last season.

Gone are Hannah Dawson and Ceny Phelps, who provided a majority of the scoring last season. Dawson took her game south to Samford University, while Phelps went west to Martin Methodist College.

"Both Hannah and Ceny were two real good players and it's not as simple as just replacing them," Burkey said. "We graduated about 75 percent of our scoring last year and one of our priorities this year is to develop some kids that can consistently score for us.

"We are going to change our offense a little bit. For the most part, we've pretty much run a double post or two-post system in the past and now we're going to run a one-post system."

Look for the Eaglettes to spread the floor on offense and take advantage of their good ballhandlers by driving to the basket and scoring more off the dribble. They should also be more of a threat from behind the 3-point arc than in years past.

The success of this team will be based on its defensive play.

"In college you can recruit kids that fit you're your system but as a high school coach you've got to take the hand that dealt to you and find the best possible way to play that hand," Burkey said. "We may not have a lot of size this year but we've got a lot of kids that have gotten a lot stronger in the weight room. You'll see us do more pressing and we are going to have a wide variety of press and trap packages. We may play a little more zone that we have in the pass but I can assure you that man-to-man is still going to be our bread and butter on defense."

Five seniors -- Janie Graves, Callisha Johnson, Caitlin Buchanan, Robbie Mahaffey and Jesse Calvert -- are providing outstanding leadership to the younger players.

"Our senior leadership is just outstanding. It's the best leadership I've seen in quite some time," Burkey said. "This group of seniors has taken it upon themselves for them to have the senior year they've always wanted to have. This group has a variety of leadership styles but they all are doing a great job of showing the younger kids what being an Eaglette is all about."

This team will be a work in progress throughout the regular season but the program's goal has not changed.

"We've got miles to go but I think we're ahead of where I thought we would be going into the regular season," Burkey said. "Our young kids still have a lot of learning to do and some of our experienced players are even having to change their role on this team from last year so I think you'll see our best basketball later in the season. I can assure you that our sights are set on getting to the state tournament and challenge for a championship. We all know we've got a long road ahead of us but we won't be satisfied with anything less than that."

District 8-AAA drops from a seven-team district to a six-team district with Coffee County moving out due to the TSSAA realignment.

The district should be as balanced from top to bottom as its been in years, but there are a few teams that have everything in place for a very successful season.

"Lawrence County is going to have a great team led by MTSU signee Jordyn Luffman," Burkey said. "Lincoln County returns all five starters back and are coached very well. Franklin County, Columbia and Tullahoma all have new head coaches and that adds a little unknown to the district."

The Eaglettes open Monday night at home against talented Blackman at 6:30.