With Henderson County and Webster County settling at the top of the girls’ region stack over the past half-decade, Union County has been on the outside looking in. Despite missing the region tournament seven of the past eight seasons, the Bravettes feel like they are on the right track to return to region prominence.
Union County returns a core group from last year’s 8-14 squad that also lost leading scorer Jocelyn Spaulding (9.6 ppg.) to Henderson County via transfer. Junior Jralee Roberson is the leading returning scorer (6.9 ppg.) and rebounder (7.3) from last year.
Joining Roberson on the front line are junior Kramer Jenkins (3.1 ppg.), senior Mollie Morris (5.1 ppg., 2.9 rpg.), and senior Paige Wells (1.6 ppg.)
One key for the Bravettes will be the development of their backcourt into a unit that can consistently take care of the basketball and succeed against pressure defenses.
Senior Emily Hibbs (4.3 ppg.) leads a unit that will also include sophomore Mati Hagan (5.0 ppg.) and junior Raelle Beaven (1.7 ppg.).
“We have stressed max effort on defense,” said Coach Derek Phillips. “We have also looked at better ways for us to be able to score the basketball. We feel like we can play a little smaller and be effective in turning our defense into offense with a little more athleticism and speed.”
Phillips said freshman Madison Morris could have a break-out season and be a solid contributor by season’s end.
“I believe our team will continue to grow as a team. I think the fans will see better chemistry on the floor with the combination of speed and intensity,” Phillips said. “We are a middle of the pack team in the region and have the potential to be very strong by the end of the year.”
