Young, but an “older” young. That might be an appropriate description when looking at this year’s edition of the Caldwell County Lady Tigers basketball team. With seven players who were sophomores or younger last season, the Lady Tigers saw several players gain valuable experience during the 2017-2018 season.
That team finished the year at 16-13 and won the 7th District championship. The Lady Tigers would then fall to Henderson County in the opening round of the girls regional tournament.
The Lady Tigers return all five of their anticipated starters for the season, led by senior Peyton Young. Young missed the end of the 2017-2018 season with a foot injury. Prior to the injury, Young was averaging 8.4 points and 3.7 rebounds per game in 20 contests.
Both of the Lady Tigers’ double figure scorers are figured to be back in the starting lineup. Junior Bella McConnell averaged 10.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Sophomore Jacey Jaggers averaged 12.2 points per game and connected on 38 3-pointers for the season.
How this team goes this season may ultimately come down to the play of its point guard. Jada Boyd averaged 8.7 points per game and 2.7 rebounds. Boyd is a high energy, and sometimes high risk, point guard, that will be the engine that drives the Lady Tigers pace over the course of the year.
Other players expected to provide significant contributions for Caldwell County during the season include Lucy Goffinet, Karsyn Parker, and Morgan McDaniels. Parker is a sophomore who is one of the best athletes on the team and can be a force on the glass. McDaniels will be moved to the inside more during the 2018-2019 season, and could provide some valuable moments down in the paint. Lucy Goffinet is one of the few three sport athletes left in the area. Her athleticism and her defensive ability to guard all five spots will keep her in the game.
Some newcomers expected to have an impact for the Lady Tigers this season include freshmen Paris Gray and Jillian Choate. Also, sophomore Riley Thomas returns to the Caldwell County roster after a year off. Thomas is an athlete, a member of the Lady Tiger volleyball team, who is expected to help out immediately out of the gate for the Lady Tigers.
The Lady Tigers will be the favorites in the 7th District, but it will be a tight, hotly contested battle between four teams, all who return almost everyone from the 2017-2018 season. With the right draw in the regional tournament, Caldwell County returns enough on the court to be considered one of the regional darkhorses.
Hopkins Central has made significant strides, and lost only one player to graduation last season. Madisonville finished only 8-18, but had no seniors on the roster. Dawson Springs, who finished as 7th District runner-up, returns almost everyone as well, as the Lady Panthers had only one senior on the roster last year.
The Caldwell County Lady Tigers will open the season November 27 on the road at Lyon County.
