Northwestern 4A girls' basketball previews

A brief look at each girls' varsity basketball team in the Northwestern 4A, with last year's record (overall first, league record next) and conference finish in parentheses:

ALEXANDER CENTRAL (5-19, 0-12, seventh): The Cougars are rebuilding, but there is hope in Taylorsville that head coach Nikki Setzer can turn the team around.

Alexander Central has two returning seniors in Kirstin Morris and Tara Crisp that Setzer believes the Cougars can build around.

Kelsey Johns and Chelsea Brown figure to play a role in the offense as well, as Alexander Central looks to erase the memories of a winless conference season with aggressive defense and improved rebounding.

Setzer described the Cougars as being a close-knit team with plenty of desire to become a contender in the conference.

EAST BURKE (11-15, 5-7, tied for fourth): The Cavaliers lost some talent due to transfers and graduation, but head coach Katie Gravel has some skilled players to work with in a bid to return to the state playoffs.

Seniors Elizabeth Ross and Brittany Yancey decided to leave East Burke and attend Draughn, which opened in August, so a core of underclassmen will need to help fill the void.

Guard Natalie Baker returns along with up-and-comer Alicia Byrd to help guide the East Burke offense.

A mix of hustle and good offense carried the Cavs to the second round of the state 4A playoffs last year, where they lost 68-66 to North Mecklenburg.

East Burke's level of success will hinder primarily on how much help Paige Moore and Emily Greene can provide scoring.

FREEDOM (19-10, 10-2, second):The Patriots are contenders for the conference title, with guard Ali Ford leading the way in an effort to unseat McDowell as the league's best team.

Ford is the Patriots' all-time scoring leader and head coach Amber Fox expects her to continue her backcourt prowess in her senior season.

Freedom's up-tempo style of play will return, with Ford and Chelsea Connelly providing the scoring punch while Laura Chapman and East Burke transfer Keonna Lewis control the inside game.

Fox believes the Patriots can get over the hump and win the conference championship. But in order for Freedom to win the title, it will need scoring from Ford and Connelly, in addition to a strong season from Chapman.

McDOWELL (26-4, 12-0, first) The Titans will certainly miss graduates Kurie Washington, Kelsea Greene and Ebonique Hamilton, but second-year head coach Brian Franklin is confident his young team can bring home another conference crown.

Only two seniors are on the Titans' roster, but junior guard Autumn Ward and forward-center Xandi
Gellman are being counted on to step up and be the key scorers.

McDowell has qualified for the state 4A playoffs for 23 consecutive years, and Franklin knows a 24th trip may be tougher than expected.

But two seniors, guard Kristin Maney and forward-center Molly Brooks, are slated to make a major impact on offense and defense.

Ward will see time at point guard, a position that has been a Titans strength for years. She averaged 7.2 points and shot 37 percent from 3-point range last season, and is expected to help keep the championship banners coming to McDowell.

A.C. REYNOLDS (14-12, 5-7, tied for fourth) The Rockets return two of scoring threats in juniors Whitney Brinkley and Karlee Taylor, but third-year head coach Kathy Marlowe expects a balanced offensive attack with help coming from all players.

Guards Michelle Lopez, Kaitlin Jackson and Taylor are expected to handle the bulk of the Rockets' backcourt duties, but the starters will vary from game to game.

Brinkley is the Rockets' premiere post presence, and will be looked upon to help lead a young A.C. Reynolds team ripe with potential and looking to avenge a second-round state 4A playoff loss to North Davidson.

Marlowe said the Rockets have a solid core of good athletes who work hard and play tough defense, but the ability to stay healthy will determine how successful the Rockets' season will be.

SOUTH CALDWELL (17-10, 6-6, third): Defense and depth are two strengths the Spartans will have, said head coach Jeff Parham.

Junior guard Kayla Gross (12 points per game, five rebounds), sophomore forward Matison Hall (13 ppg, 5 rpg) and sophomore center Brooklyn Boston (6 ppg, 6 rpg) are three key returning players for South Caldwell, which has seven underclassmen on its roster

Parham noted that a lack of size is a concern. But with a roster full of speedy players, the Spartans will try to counter the height disadvantage with improved offensive production.

If the Spartans' young players like sophomore guard Katie Sharpe (8 ppg) can consistently contribute, South Caldwell could make some noise in the conference race.

WATAUGA (11-14, 4-8, sixth): The athletic Pioneers return several key players, including junior Nicole Tesh, who averaged 15 points and nine rebounds per game.

Second-year head coach Klay Anderson also has senior guard Chandler Butler (8 ppg, 4 assists per game) back to highlight the offense.

Anderson wants to offset the Pioneers' lack of experience with good transition defense and effort on the offensive end.

If the Pioneers can improve their free-throw shooting, which is a concern for Anderson, they could make a push to improve their conference record.