By Stephen Smoot
As the last leaves vacate their trees and winter winds replace the fall breeze, basketball returns to Pendleton County. Coach Micah Bailey will rely on leadership from one accomplished senior, as well as grit and talent from the rest of the squad, as they face strong regional talent in the coming campaign.
“We have a pretty decently tough schedule this year,” notes Coach Bailey. Early in December, the Lady Wildcats face Berkeley County triple A squads Martinsburg and Spring Mills. Then, as the new year begins, Pendleton County takes on Doddridge County, who won 19 games last year and returns three seniors. The Wildcats also have tough competition within the region, including a Petersburg team that won 21 last year and brings back three seniors as well.
As Bailey explains, “None of the teams in our region are pushovers.”
Ariana Young, who has already committed to Concord University to play basketball, returns as the lone senior. “Ana has started since she was a freshman,” Bailey said. He added, “Hopefully by the end of this year, she’ll have 1,000 points.” Young brings more to the team besides scoring, however. Bailey stresses that she is also “a great leader. She’ll be a great offensive and defensive presence and in her fourth year; she knows my expectations.”
Young stars in the backcourt for the Lady Wildcats as both a point and shooting guard. Joining her in the backcourt will be Avery Townsend, who also plays both positions, Jenna Smith, Keira Heavener, and Bethany Eye will also be relied on for quality backcourt minutes.
The Lady Wildcat frontcourt should provide strong defense, excellent rebounding, and shot blocking. Gabrielle DePue brings both height and explosive leaping ability to the post positions. At 5’11, Madison Arbaugh could also provide an intimidating presence underneath. The versatile Lizzie Alt offers experience at both the small and power forward slots. Baylee Beachler’s pure athleticism will also serve Coach Bailey’s plans for hard-nosed defense and fast paced offense.
The team will need quality minutes from Nataley Hedrick, Julia Mongold, and Jameigh Miller as well. With only 11 players and no junior varsity, every player’s role will be key for success. Although the team lost five seniors from last year’s team, Bailey expects his younger players to elevate their games. He expects that “they’ll find their roles as the season goes.
One of the strongest attributes of Bailey’s squad this year lies in their athleticism. Several of his players helped to drive the volleyball team to the state tournament behind equal parts skill and grit. Their athleticism will undergird the “fast paced transition” game that Bailey expects to see from his team. He added, “We’re really trying to get out and run.”
Tuesday, the Lady Wildcats faced a strong Union squad who won 16 games last year and returns six seniors from that squad. Results were not available at press time. Their next game will be a home stand on Dec. 6 against Tucker County High School. The Mountain Lions won 19 games last season and return four seniors from that team.
All Pendleton County High School girls’ home games will start at 6:30 p.m. this season.
