By Chris Parker
Stoutland girls basketball returns five players with varsity experience from last season’s 14-win team.
Senior Paris Francis returns to the post. Juniors Cadence Chaffin and Raegen Henry return with two years of varsity experience each. Mallory Shaw and Emma Cornelison are two sophomores who saw significant action as freshmen.
Senior Kaylee Henson will return to basketball after two years off and bring depth in the post. Sophomore Harley Mathews also returns after a year off. Senior Hailee Wheeler along with sophomores Allison Reeves, McKinley Morrow, Savannah Chaffin, and Lily Shearer will look for varsity minutes.
Candice Barnwell will be the team’s lone freshman.
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“I think the biggest strength for us this year will be our defense. We will be able to implement different defensive schemes this year with our size,” Stoutland head coach Alex Nicholson said. “I think that we need to improve the most on valuing each offensive possession and looking for a good shot, not just an easy shot.”
Stoutland opens the season on Nov. 17 at home against Norwood.
“I hope our reputation for this year is that we are the hardest working team each night,” Nicholson said.
“For this season to be successful, we want to finish above the .500 mark for the first time in three years. Each of the last three seasons, we have improved our win totals and this year we hope to finish with a winning record.”
