According to the West Virginia Secondary School ActivitiesCommission calendar today is the first day of the 2009-10 girls highschool basketball.
Beyond that pretty much everything else is so uncertain that it'sdoubtful that a crystal ball or any other fortune telling devicecould predict how it will end up.
The 2008-09 season was crazier than most, with veteran Coach PaulSutherland being bumped from his job at Winfield and the coachingcarousel that saw Nitro go from possible State Tournament contenderto also-ran within a couple of weeks.
So prepare for some unpredictable twists and turns on the road tothis year's State Tournament in March.
Here is a quick look at some of the biggest questions:
When does the season start?
The starting date was moved up a week after many schools hadalready made out their schedules, causing some scrambling andconfusion.
The standardized calendar originally listed Dec. 8 as the firstday games could be played.
That meant many coaches, such as South Charleston's Gary Greene,did not worry when they scheduled their first contest for Dec. 15.
"I've been trying to move a game up," Greene said.
"I don't like not playing the first two weeks."
Several teams do not open until next week, many on the originaldate.
That is only the beginning of the confusion surrounding thecoming season.
Where have all the veteran coaches gone?
Gone are the two coaches with the most wins among active coachesat the beginning of last season.
After 20 seasons, Sissonville Coach Annette Olenchick steppeddown with a 321-183 career mark. Olenchick led the Indians to the2003 Class AA state championship. She has been replaced by RickWallace, former Nitro All-State player Kendra Wallace's father.
After sitting out all of last season, Scott Tinsley hasofficially been replaced at Nitro by former Cedar Grove MiddleSchool Coach Jack Long.
Tinsley was 191-94 in 11 seasons on the Wildcat bench beforebecoming the football coach at WVU Tech.
Neither Long nor Wallace has ever been a head coach on the highschool level.
Charleston Catholic's Ashley Shepler is the area's winningestactive coach, with a record of 103-28 after five years. Shepler ledthe Irish to the Class A state title in 2007.
St. Albans' Scott James takes Olenchick's title as the mosttenured coach, as he enters his seventh season. Of the 13 headcoaches in Kanawha and Putnam Counties this season have only acombined 28 years of experience coaching girls basketball.
Who is going to step up?
While there are some good players coming back the downturn intalent since the Alexis Hornbuckle, Renee Montgomery, Megan Withrow,and Mackenzie Maier years looks to continue.
Forget about 2,000 point scorers. It will be well into 2010before a player hits 1,000 this season.
Winfield senior Jordan Brock has the most career points of anyreturning player with 794. Unfortunately it is uncertain when oreven if she will get to play this season after she suffered a kneeinjury in soccer season.
Hurricane senior Skye Smith is next with 771 points, and shouldreach 1,000. The lanky point guard has the potential to take overgames this year.
After that things get dicey. South Charleston senior Sissy Wagnerhas 603 and averaged 11.6 points a game a year ago. The dangerous 3-point shooter needs to increase that to around 16 a game to reach1,000.
Juniors Dri Nazario at George Washington and Jenna Curry atSissonville seem like a locks to reach the milestone, but maybe notuntil next season. Nazario has 584 points and Curry 560.
Smith, Wagner, Nazario, and Curry could all step up and beexciting players to watch this season. Another possibility is Pocasophomore Adrian Cunningham. The 5-9 post player was second in theKanawha Valley in scoring last season averaging 18.4 points a gameto finish with 426 points.
The Dots should have had another rising star in sophomore pointguard Promise Carter but she tore her ACL in a fall league game.
"She is supposed to have surgery (December) 17th and probablywon't be back," said Poca Coach Brady Lanham.
South Charleston sophomore Brittany Gordon is another player tokeep an eye on after she averaged over 15 points a game at Nitrolast year. How effective the 5-8 guard will be depends greatly onhow well she has recovered from a knee injury suffered over thesummer.
Another one to watch include St. Albans' junior Kandace Parsons,who missed all of last season with an ACL tear after having a strongfreshman season.
There is also the Nitro senior duo of guard Olivia McCuskey andforward Meghan Hall, which will be given an opportunity to show whatthey can do as the featured players for the Wildcats.
Sophomore Alexa Peoples at George Washington and senior CapenEvans at Charleston Catholic are a couple of post players who couldhave big seasons.
Which teams will step up?
Look for South Charleston with four returning starters from lastseason's state tournament team returning and three Nitro transfersto be the team to beat.
A lineup with Sissy Wagner, Alexa Morgan, Gel Villanueva, KarleyWalker, and Nitro transfers Brittany Gordon and Kiki Allen shouldmaintain the Black Eagles' defensive intensity.
It should also be able to score more than last season's squad,which would make SC very dangerous.
George Washington will look to challenge the Black Eagles withfour returning starters also along with Nitro transfer Nazario.
A wild card for the Patriots is senior Anita Davis, who wassecond on the team in scoring as a sophomore but did not play lastseason.
Capital, St. Albans, Hurricane, and Nitro could all be dangerous.
"I have four or five freshmen that are looking at major playingtime," said Cougars Coach B.J. Calabrese. "We have more depth andmore speed this year."
In Class AA it looked at the end of last season like Sissonvilleand Poca could be very evenly matched this season with the youngDots maybe contending with Scott and Tolsia as favorites in Region4.
But with Promise Carter out for the year at Poca and seniorBrittany Sayre not coming out after sustaining an injury insectional play last season that has never fully healed Poca may be alittle shorthanded.
"Last Monday was the first practice without (Carter)," Lanhamsaid.
"The girls really stepped up and we had one of our bestpractices."
Besides learning a new system the Indians have to deal with thegraduation of four-year All-State point guard Kaitlin Snyder andthree other starters.
How far they step up will depend on the multi-talented 6-2 Currybecoming more aggressive.
"She's already stepped it up," Rick Wallace said. "She's got tolead."
With Shepler at the helm and Evans in the paint CharlestonCatholic should once again be among the best Class A programs in thestate.
The Irish proved there are plenty of good girl athletes at theschool during soccer season. Now it just remains to be seen how manycan develop good basketball skills.
All in all it should be a very interesting, though unpredictableseason.
Let the games begin.
High school girls basketball leaders
Kanawha & Putnam counties
Final 2008-09 statistics:
Individual Scoring
Player, school G Pts Avg
*Kaitlin Snyder, Siss. 27 519 19.2
Adrian Cunningham, Poca 23 426 18.4
Brittany Gordon, Nitro 24 367 15.3
*Sky Assif, Nitro 24 345 14.4
Jenna Curry, Sissonville 27 377 14.0
Dri Nazario, Nitro 21 294 14.0
*Jazzmone Russell, Hurr. 23 301 13.1
Mone-K Harris, Capital 23 301 13.1
Skye Smith, Hurricane 23 295 12.8
Jordan Brock, Winfield 22 271 12.3
Alexa Peoples, GW 21 253 12.0
*Brittany Crawford, SA 24 288 12.0
*Amanda Young, Buffalo 23 269 11.7
Sissy Wagner, SC 26 301 11.6
Kiara Tyler, GW 22 249 11.3
*Megan Fitzgerald, SA 24 268 11.2
Olivia McCuskey, Nitro 24 258 10.8
*Rachel Mynes, Winfield 22 224 10.2
Alexa Morgan, SC 26 264 10.2
Rachel Ashley, Winfield 22 220 10.0
*Graduated
2009 Girls basketball outlook
Buffalo Coach: Brandon Bias (2nd year) 08-09 record: 13-10Starters returning: 1 Hannah Lloyd (Sr., 5-5) Starters lost: 4 Amanda Young, Brittany Herdman, Kayla Tucker, Janae Hicks Keyreturnees: Danielle Hershey, Danielle Gallagher Key newcomers: AmberCochran, Tiffany Bailey, Brittany Hicks, Katie Adkins, Kierra Bays,Caitlin McCoy, Hannah Boyer Season opener: Dec. 8 vs. Hannan Bias:We had the most wins last year since the late 1990s, early 2000s,and even though we are a super-young team and have a lot of ups anddowns. I think any thing less than a .500 season would be adisappointment. Capital Coach: B.J. Calabrese (3rd year, 18-26) 08-09 record: 9-13 Starters returning: 3 Mone-K Harris (5-6, 13.1ppg), Keriona Jemison (5-10), Kachona Harris (5-8) Starters lost: 2 Andie Bausley, Ahjami Carter Key returnees: Tanija Spencer, Key KeyDudley, Terina McDowell Key newcomers: Katie Crowder, Genese Owusu,Briana Harris, Kearah Walker Season opener: Dec. 8 at Valley(Fayette) Calabrese: Leadership has really been missing and itshowed last year. Last year was tough on them but I think theylearned a lot and it motivated them. I really challenged them andthey want to do well this year. Charleston Catholic Coach: AshleyShepler (6th year, 102-27) 08-09 record: 18-7 Starters returning: 4 Capen Evans (5-10, 9 ppg, 8 rpg, Sr.), Erin Casey (Sr.), Meg Whalen(Jr.), Ally Hoyer (Jr.) Starters lost: 1 Maria Femia Key returnees:Victoria Thomas, Emily Blake, Anna Wood, Kathryn Dunderville, HeidiBuscher Season opener: Dec. 11 at Fayetteville Shepler: Were a veryathletic team. Ive really enjoyed working with this team so farbecause theres a lot of talent and a lot of potential. GeorgeWashington Coach: Jamie LaMaster (6th year, 53-65) 08-09 record: 7-17 Starters returning: 3 Kiera Tyler (5-8, 12 ppg), Alexa Peoples(5-11), Alexis Tunstalle (8 ppg, 3 apg.). Starters lost: 1 KathleenBarber (4 ppg, 7 rpg) Other key returnees: Anna Kimberling, MariahWalls Key newcomers: Dri Nazario (5-7, 13.8 ppg, 3.5 apg.), RachelWard Season opener: Dec. 8 at Ripley LaMaster: We have a nice levelof talent but we have to work on the mental part of the game andlearn to play hard all of the time. Herbert Hoover Coach: GregUllman (3rd year, 9-35) 08-09 record: 5-17 Starters returning: 4 Regina Farmer (5-6, 8 ppg), Cassie Forbes (5-10, 7 ppg), Dani Paxton(5-6, 7.0 ppg), Abbi Chandler (5-1) Starters lost: Taylor Spencer (8ppg) Key returnees: Chelsey Chapman Key newcomers: Jessi Gandee,Hannah Mick, Jordon Marshall, Demia Mogielski Season opener: Dec. 8vs. Chapmanville Ullman: Were going to be a lot quicker, muchimproved. Were looking to play more up tempo and Ill be disappointedif we do not go .500. Hurricane Coach: Denny Paugh (3rd year, 23-23) 08-09 record: 12-11 Starters returning: 3 Skye Smith (6-0, 13.1ppg, Sr.), Jordan McKenzie (Sr.), Beth White (Sr.) Starters lost: 2 Jazzmone Russell, Megan Slack Other top returnees: Morgan Garrett,Allie Browne Season opener: Thursday vs. Parkersburg Paugh: Werereally counting on our experience to help continue building ourprogram. Were getting better each year, and well count on ourexperienced players to keep things in the right direction. NitroCoach: Jack Long (1st year) 08-09 record: 17-7 Starters returning: 2Angel Withrow 5-8 (Sr.), Olivia McCluskey (5-11, 10.8 ppg, Sr.)Starters lost: 3 Brittany Gordon (15.3 ppg), Dri Nazario (14 ppg),Sky Assif (15.4) Key returnees: Kelly Douglas, Jen Young, Alex Cook,Megan Hall Season opener: Thursday vs. Cabell Midland Long: Weexpect to have a winning season. The girls have worked hard andhopefully well continue to come together and be playing our bestbasketball when we play our most important games. Poca Coach: BradyLanham (4th year, 21-47) 08-09 record: 14-8 Starters returning: 2 (Adrian Cunningham 5-10, 18.4 ppg, Lexi Lanham 5-3) Starters lost: 3Jamie Cool, Adrianna Browning, Brittany Sayre, Promise Carter(injury) Key returnees: Fallon Cunningham, Kendra Richardson, ErikaMaloney Key newcomers: Maddie McGrew, Harley Willard, Amber Beckner,Brandy Davis Season opener: Dec. 8 at Hurricane Lanham: We set ourgoals and we think we have a chance to win our conference andhopefully sectionals. We hope our last game is down at theCharleston Civic Center at the State Tournament. Riverside Coach:Michelle McGinnis (1st year) 08-09 record: 2-21 Starters returning:3 Kassie Cook (Jr.), Tabby Deavers (Jr.), Heather Burford (Soph.)Starters lost: 2 Megan Chestnut, Kari Hudson Other key returnees:Sydney Smith (Sr.), Chelsea Wood (Soph.), Summer Duffield (Soph.)Season opener: Friday at Valley (Fayette) McGinnis: The girls havereally come together and formed great team chemistry. Ive been realimpressed with what Ive seen from them so far. They are working hardand working together. We should continue to improve as the seasongoes on. St. Albans Coach: Scott James (7th year, 43-96) 08-09record: 10-14 Starters returning: 2 Sophie Ball (5-11, Soph.),Sarah Reynolds (5-8, 8 ppg, Soph.) Starters lost: 3 BrittanyCrawford, Megan Fitzgerald, Kayla Gillenwater Other key returnees:Kandace Parsons, Olivia Beheler, Frances Alessio, Lindsey Davis,Marissa White Season opener: Friday vs. Lincoln County James: Were ahard team to figure. Were young, but if the girls come together andunite, and we can stay healthy, well be a pretty competitive teambefore its all over with. Sissonville Coach: Rick Wallace (1st year)08-09 record: 25-2 Starters returning: 1 Jenna Curry (6-2, 14 ppg,8 rpg, Jr.) Starters lost: 4 Kaitlin Snyder (19 ppg, 6 apg., 6rpg), Autumn Martin (8 ppg, 6 rpg), Whitney Anderson, EmilyCarpenter Other key returnees: Logan Walker, Logan Henry, KatieHolmes, Megan Minsker, Taren Rhodes Key newcomers: Hannah Keller,Lydia Murray, Ryan Henry Season opener: Dec. 11 vs. Scott atWilliamstown tournament Wallace: They work hard, are very coachable,and have a lot of potential. (Curry) understands she has to be theleading scorer. South Charleston Coach: Gary Greene (2nd year, 19-7, 11 years, 163-82 as a boys coach) Starters returning: 4 SissyWagner (5-7, 11.6 ppg), Karley Walker (5-8, 7 ppg), Alexa Morgan (5-7, 8 ppg), Angelica Villanueva (5-7, 9.5 ppg) Starters lost: 1 Laverdia Holland (9 ppg) Other key returnees: Sierra Moore Keynewcomers: Brittany Gordon, Shelley Smith, Kiki Allen Season opener:Dec. 15 vs. Huntington Greene: If they come together and gel withthe system were trying to run we could be pretty good by the secondhalf of the season. Winfield Coach: Tim Toler (2nd year) 08-09record: 10-12 Starters returning: 4 Stevie Cooper (Sr.), JordanBrock (Sr., 12.3 ppg), Rachel Mynes (10.4), Rachel Ashley (Sr.,10.0) Starters lost: 1 Jade Smith Other key returnees: Skylar BrockSeason opener: Friday vs. Huntington
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