The Westside Lady Warriors will look to be a contender atop the 4A-3 Conference . After finishing 14-12 a year ago , Coach Sara Lehman ’ s squad will look to improve on their modest record . Megan Hedger and Georgia Spinks were lost to graduation but two Lady Warriors return to the starting lineup . They are seniors Lanie Welch and Elizabeth Hufstedler . Welch returns as a two-year starter and will man the point guard position . She ’ s a great ball handler and can get to the rim . Welch sees the floor well and is the key to the team ’ s offense . She scored 12.4 points per game , with four rebounds , 3.4 assists , and 2.8 steals . Hufsteder started last season and played a post position . She is a great leader on the floor , communicates well with her teammates , is a great rebounder and defensive player . Hufstedler averaged 5.8 points per game and 5.9 rebounds per game . Westside has some other players that will see key minutes . Two senior guards in Destiny Hale and Haven Ray will be asked to contribute and both can shoot it . A duo of juniors in Izzy Wolf and Addi Montgomery will get time on the floor . Wolf is a physical presence and she can rebound . Montgomery will be utilized for her defensive ability . Two sophomores will see regular time in Vada Wakins and Mattyx Cureton . Vada plays good defense and Mattyx is a physical tough shooter . Coach Lehman believes the team ’ s keys to success will be aggressive defense , team chemistry , balanced scoring and communication . She likes her team ’ s ability to play scrappy and believes the team has some good shooters and scorers . Areas of concern include : size and youth . NEA Sports projects the team to finish around the middle of the pack in the conference .
The Westside Warriors are looking to improve on last season ’ s 7-14 record , and Coach Mark Whitmire believes he has the right team to do just that . As with Coach Whitmire ’ s teams in the past , teamwork is stressed , and the Warriors will utilize a balanced lineup to accentuate that . Three returning starters will provide leadership and experience to the roster . Senior guards Gage Willbanks and Eli Whitmire lead the way for Westside . Willbanks is a team leader with a strong work ethic and a great attitude . Whitmire showcases quickness and anticipation on defense and the ability to shoot from the outside and get to the rim on offense . Weston Honeycutt brings a dynamic offensive game from the guard position . Honeycutt can score at all three levels and put up points in a hurry . Coach Whitmire says Honeycutt has an unwavering work ethic and his future is very bright . Joining these three are a tribe of Warriors looking to contribute each night . Senior Colton Carter and junior Drake Kelley return to the lineup hoping to make an impact , while a group of newcomers are hoping to move up and help . Sophomores Koby Thompson , Landon Webb , and Will Harp are joined by freshman Micah Dew in hopes of gaining key experience quickly to contribute in different ways . Coach Whitmire feels that teamwork will be this group of Warriors key to success . “ Remember that success in basketball , as in life , often relies on teamwork , determination , and a positive attitude . All of these young men encompass these attributes and we look for " big " things out of this team ,” Coach explained . NEA Sports predicts Westside to be in the mix in the tough 4A-3 conference and battling to earn a berth to the regional tournament .